Chinese government has yet to hear the official statement from the Japanese side on whether the Japanese helicopter carrier Izumo is going to the South China Sea to visit some Southeast Asian countries or for other purposes, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying during a regular press conference on March 14, 2017.
According to reports, the Izumo warship is going to the South China Sea in May. When asked whether China is concerned that the Japanese helicopter carrier is going to South China Sea, Hua’s reply was “not at all.”
“If this is only about normal visits and normal transit through the South China Sea, we hold no objection and hope that such normal exchanges between relevant countries can help promote peace and stability in the region. But if it is going to the South China Sea for other motives, it would be a different story. As we have indeed seen the Japanese side stirring up troubles on the South China Sea issue, we hope the Japanese side can truly play a responsible role for peace and stability in this region,” Hua said.
