Japan keeps up pressure on China over defense

By Isabel Reynolds

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan told China on Saturday it remained concerned about its ballooning defense expenditure, an official said, as the two countries sought to build military and other ties following a historic visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao last month.

Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura exchanged condolences over the earthquake in China a month ago and Saturday's tremor in northern Japan with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi at talks in Tokyo.

Yang confirmed that Chinese President Hu would attend the outreach section of next month's G8 summit of wealthy nations in Japan next month, a move welcomed by Komura.

But the two disagreed on the transparency of China's military spending, which has also sparked criticism from the United States recent years.

"Our country and the rest of the world have concerns about the sudden rise in China's military spending," a Japanese official quoted Komura as telling Yang in their meeting.

"In this context it is important to encourage dialogue to increase understanding and transparency. We look forward to China taking a more responsible attitude," the official quoted him as adding.

Yang responded by saying China's military policy was defensive, and that there was wide understanding of this around the world, the Japanese official said. He said he wanted to continue discussing security policy with Japan.

Japan is set to send a naval vessel to China later this month for the first time since World War Two, following a friendship visit by a Chinese military vessel to Japan last year.