China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, urged the international community to remain vigilant against the rise of Japanese neo-militarism during a press briefing on Monday. This statement followed Japanese Defense Minister's rejection of the "neo-militarist" label at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue. Lin Jian asserted that Japan's recent actions, including a record-high defense budget exceeding 9 trillion yen for the 14th consecutive year and attempts to challenge post-war international order, contradict its exclusively defense-oriented policy. He referenced historical documents like the Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Proclamation, alongside Japan's constitution, arguing these underscore the need for caution. Lin Jian suggested that Japan's attempts to evade historical responsibilities and its current trajectory bear alarming resemblances to pre-WWII militarism, posing a threat to regional peace.