Japan 'must not flare up tension'

Cheng said Tokyo should reflect on its positions, basic ideas and policy measures on improving ties with China.

"China values ties with Japan. … It is hoped that both countries will work on improving ties on a consistent and stable basis.

"However, messages delivered by Tokyo are blurred and unclear," Cheng added.

Security bills

The Japanese Liberal Democratic Party referred to China as a threat when it pushed to pass controversial new security bills last year. The bills were passed and will take effect on March 29.

Cheng said China is resolutely opposed to Tokyo deploying such tactics, hyping the so-called threat and using China as an excuse to gain passage of the security bills.

With the bills set to take effect, Cheng said, China's concerns are "whether Japan will stay committed to the path of peaceful development" and "whether Japan's security measures will affect the security interests of its neighbors, particularly China".

"We hope that Japan will draw lessons from its past, further subscribe to peaceful development and build a peaceful and stable relationship with its Asian neighbors," Cheng added.