China vowed to "not sit still" if the United States deployed intermediate-range missiles on Japanese territory and its allies in Asia.

"China resolutely opposes the US deployment of medium-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region. It will be provocative action in front of China," Defense Ministry spokesman Ngo Quan said at the meeting.

The statement was made by Wu after it emerged that the United States was considering deploying medium-range missiles in Asia after withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty last August.

The administration of President Donald Trump decided to withdraw from the INF and negotiate a new treaty covering China, but Beijing vowed not to join.

"China hopes Japan and other countries can consider regional peace and stability, act cautiously and say no to the US, which wants to deploy medium-range missiles on its territory, so that

The Chinese Foreign Ministry also urged Japan to maintain a defensive-leaning policy as stipulated in its constitution.

"Because of historical factors, the Japanese military security trend has always caught the attention of the international community and their Asian neighbors. We urge Japan to take seriously the lesson of the calendar.

Increased tensions between China and Japan, a close ally of the United States, in the context of Washington and Beijing disagreement on many fronts, including trade, technology and military.

Lian Degui, a Japanese affairs expert at Shanghai International Research University, said Beijing would not accept weapons such as medium-range missiles appearing near its territory.

"This is clearly aimed at China and can be considered as a move that the US prepares for a future military confrontation. The relationship between China and Japan will collapse if such missiles are given.

Besides arranging a counter-defense missile shield, China could also introduce economic sanctions against Japan.