Tokyo urged to reflect on its history of aggression

The Asia-Pacific region "does not need any military bloc", still less groupings that stir up bloc confrontation or a new Cold War, Beijing said on Monday in response to a major military deal signed by Tokyo and Manila.

On Monday, the Philippines and Japan signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement, which will allow the two nations to deploy forces on each other's soil and conduct joint training.

"Any move that undermines the peace and stability of the region and harms regional unity and cooperation will be met with vigilance and opposition from people in countries in the region," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a daily news conference in Beijing.