Lauge Risom Koch 
Xi Jinping reportedly launched a fierce criticism of Japan’s growing military role during a tense summit with Donald Trump in Beijing.
Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly launched a sharp attack on Japan’s growing military posture during a summit with US President Donald Trump in Beijing.
According to reports, the exchange became one of the most heated moments of the high-level talks between the two leaders.
Heated exchange
According to Digi24, citing the Financial Times, Xi became visibly agitated while discussing Japan and its increasing defence spending.
Sources familiar with the summit said the Chinese leader harshly criticised Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and accused Tokyo of pursuing “remilitarization”.
The topic reportedly surprised American officials because it had not previously featured prominently in pre-summit discussions.
Several sources described Xi’s comments as the most intense part of the two-day meeting.
Trump response
According to the Financial Times, Trump responded by arguing that Japan needed stronger security capabilities due to threats posed by North Korea.
It remains unclear whether Trump also referenced China in that context.
Christopher Johnstone, a former White House official specialising in Japan, said Xi’s criticism could ultimately strengthen Tokyo’s drive toward greater military independence.
“His own actions are accelerating the emergence of a much stronger Japan,” Johnstone said.
Growing tensions
Relations between Beijing and Tokyo have worsened significantly in recent months.
According to Digi24, China reacted angrily after Takaichi warned that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could create an “existential threat” to Japan.
Beijing has since criticised Japan’s military spending increases and accused Tokyo of drifting toward “neo-militarism”.
China’s Foreign Ministry recently said Japan’s defence budget had risen for a fourteenth consecutive year.
Regional concerns
The Financial Times reported that Japan remains increasingly concerned about China’s military activity and closer cooperation between Beijing and Moscow.
Tokyo has also reportedly grown uneasy over uncertainty surrounding US commitments in Asia under Trump’s administration.
According to Digi24, the report noted that Washington recently informed Japan about possible delays in the delivery of Tomahawk missiles ordered as part of its defence strategy.
Meanwhile, concerns continue to grow over Taiwan and the broader balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.
Sources: Digi24, Financial Times
