China on Friday took a swipe at Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's move to lift a ban on exercising the right of collective self-defense, describing it as an "excuses for military expansion."

China's foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks during a regular press briefing, when asked about comments made by Abe on Thursday that emphasized his eagerness to proceed with a national debate on lifting the ban on collective self-defense.

Conservative Abe has been trying to lift the ban on collective self-defense, which would allow Japan to assist other allied nations if they were attacked, but Asian neighbors view such move as an attempt to expand its military clout in the region.

"We hope Japan will pursue a peaceful development path, take history as a mirror and respect concerns of neighboring countries, rather than playing up tension and creating excuses for military expansion and adjusting of its military policy," Hong told reporters.

"Due to historical reasons, where Japan is heading in terms of security and politics draws high attention from its Asian neighbors," Hong said.

South Korea, China and other Asian nations, which suffered brutal colonization by Japan's Imperial Army during World War II, have long resented unrepentant attitudes by Japanese politicians over its wartime atrocities. (Yonhap News)