TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Chinese foreign ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning criticized Japan’s decision to deploy missiles on Yonaguni Island at a press briefing on Monday.

Mao called the move “extremely dangerous” and accused Japan of “deliberately creating regional tension and provoking military confrontation," according to the Chinese foreign ministry. She urged the international community to be more concerned about the development.

Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro said plans to deploy Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missiles on the island, located 110 km from Taiwan, are proceeding on schedule. The missiles are capable of intercepting ballistic threats. 

“To properly protect the public, including the people of Yonaguni, it is important to strengthen our defense capabilities,” Koizumi said, adding that the deployment “can lower the possibility of a military attack on our country.”

Citing the Potsdam Proclamation, Mao said Japan is “forbidden to rearm.” She claimed that Tokyo’s adjustments to defense policies over the years to increase military spending and develop offensive weapons have pushed “Japan and the region toward disaster.”

Mao said China would “never allow external forces to interfere in China’s Taiwan region, and never allow Japanese militarism to resurge.” She reaffirmed China’s commitment to defending its sovereignty and territory.

Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Chih-chung (吳志中) welcomed Japan’s missile deployment, saying that, given Yonaguni’s proximity to Taiwan, Japan’s defensive measures contribute to regional security.

China has nearly 1000 missiles aimed at Taiwan, according to Kao Chih-jung (高志榮), a researcher at Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research, per CNA. During a forum last year, Kao said these mostly consist of Dong Feng-11, DF-15, and DF-16 missiles.

China also possesses 1,300 medium‑range missiles, he said, which are intended for targets in neighboring Indo‑Pacific countries but could be redirected for use against Taiwan depending on the situation. If China attacked Taiwan, the first wave of missile strikes would target air force bases, air‑defense missile systems, command centers, radar stations, ground‑to‑ground suppression missile units, and ground forces, Kao said.

An invasion of Taiwan would require around two weeks of intensive preparation, followed by about one week of fierce combat, Kao said. He added that during the two weeks of preparations, China’s intention to attack Taiwan would already be detectable by outside observers.