China on Friday urged its neighbour Japan to act cautiously on military and security issues as the latter prepared t pass laws enabling Japanese troops to fight abroad for the first time since World War II.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular briefing in the afternoon: "We urge Japan to listen to the chorus of justice from within the country and the international community, draw lessons from history and persevere on the path of peaceful development.
"In the areas of security and military, (Japan) should act cautiously and adopt practical actions to ensure regional peace and stability."
Japan passed the two controversial security Bills in the early hours of Saturday morning.
China, together with neighbouring South Korea, bore the brunt of Japan's wartime aggression.
Beijing and Seoul have often expressed dissatisfaction with the level of remorse expressed by Japanese governments, especially the current administration under Mr Shinzo Abe, over the country's aggression during World War II. Both nations have also voiced concerns over what they see as Japan's remilitarisation through Mr Abe's moves to expand its military options.
South Korea has repeatedly sought assurance from Japan that it will seek Seoul's consent before deploying its troops on Korean soil.
Dr Bong Young Shik from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies said the government will likely adopt a "quiet and restrained" approach and avoid doing anything radical that could jeopardise upcoming summits with the US, China and Japan.
"The dilemma for South Korea is that its national security is very closely linked to Japan," he said, referring to the possiblity that Japan, as a US ally, would help to defend South Korea against North Korea.
It remains to be seen how extensive Japan's enhanced military role would become, and if it could "open the gate for Japan to return to the military route", said Dr Bong.
