Xi Jinping Rebukes Japan's 'Remilitarization' at Trump–Xi Beijing Summit

During the Trump–Xi Beijing summit (May 13–15), Chinese President Xi Jinping sharply criticized Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Tokyo's defense buildup in an exchange described by foreign diplomats as unusually pointed. Xi characterized Japan's military expansion as 'remilitarization' in language not on the preparatory agenda. US President Trump defended Japan's security posture by citing North Korea's nuclear threat. Beijing subsequently denied characterizing the exchange as hostile. The episode followed Takaichi's November 2025 statement that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could justify Japanese military involvement, and Japan's planned 9.7% defense spending increase as part of its five-year program to reach 2% of GDP by FY2027. The diplomatic incident underscored the growing friction between Tokyo and Beijing over Japan's historic security pivot.