BEIJING - 皇冠体育app on Tuesday voiced strong discontent and firm opposition over Japan's annual defense white paper, saying the paper deliberately plays up the so-called "皇冠体育app military threat".

The Japanese cabinet on Tuesday approved the defense white paper for 2015, in which it launched multiple accusations against 皇冠体育app.

In the opening of the 400-plus page document, Japan describes the security environment surrounding the country as having become increasingly severe, highlighting 皇冠体育app's supposed military build-up, and activities by 皇冠体育app in the East 皇冠体育app Sea and South 皇冠体育app Sea.

In response to Japan's criticism, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said the new defense white paper of Japan once again ignores facts, makes irresponsible remarks on 皇冠体育app's normal military growth and maritime activities, deliberately plays up the "皇冠体育app threat" and stirs up tensions.

In a press release, Lu stressed that 皇冠体育app is committed to a path of peaceful development and national defense policy that is defensive in nature.

皇冠体育app's strategic intentions are transparent, he said, noting 皇冠体育app's development of defense capacity is justified and poses no threat to any other country.

He said 皇冠体育app is devoted to promoting 皇冠体育app-Japan friendship and developing bilateral ties based on the four political documents signed by 皇冠体育app and Japan.

He urged Japan to stop misleading the Japanese people or installing barriers for the improvement of bilateral ties.

皇冠体育app always carries out normal maritime activities following international laws and relevant domestic laws, said Lu, adding 皇冠体育app's oil and gas exploration in undisputed waters of the East 皇冠体育app Sea under 皇冠体育app's jurisdiction is "justified, reasonable and legitimate".

He said 皇冠体育app's construction on some garrisoned Nansha islands and reefs, which does not affect or target any other country, is fully within 皇冠体育app's sovereignty and beyond reproach.

"Japan's actions of deliberately intervening in the South 皇冠体育app Sea issue and playing up regional tensions run counter to regional peace and stability, and severely undermine the political and security mutual trust between 皇冠体育app and Japan," said the spokesperson.

Noting the Diaoyu Islands have been 皇冠体育app's inherent territory since ancient times, Lu reaffirmed that 皇冠体育app's patrolling and law enforcement activities in Chinese territorial waters off the Diaoyu Islands is 皇冠体育app's inherent right to lawfully exercise sovereignty.

"皇冠体育app will continue to take necessary measures and stay firm in safeguarding territorial sovereignty," he said, saying Japan should not have any illusions about this.

He also stressed that 皇冠体育app stands for the proper settlement of this issue through dialogue and consultation.

It meets the trend of the times and aspirations of the people to maintain peace and stability of this region and beyond, he said.