China’s foreign ministry has demanded Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi withdraw her recent comments on Taiwan, describing them as “egregious” and a “crude interference” in China’s internal affairs.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Takaichi’s remarks had “dealt a heavy blow” to bilateral relations and warned that Japan “must bear all consequences” if the comments were not retracted.
Takaichi had told Japan’s parliament last week that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could be seen as a ‘survival-threatening situation’, potentially prompting Tokyo to respond militarily.
“Should Japan dare to intervene militarily in the Taiwan Strait situation, it will constitute an act of aggression, and China will strike back decisively,” Lin said at a press briefing in Beijing.
Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control, while Taiwan maintains it is a self-governed democracy whose future can only be decided by its people.
Tensions between the two Asian powers have shown no signs of easing this week. A post on a social media account linked to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV labeled Takaichi a “troublemaker,” warning she would “have to pay the price” for her remarks.
In Tokyo, senior lawmakers have called for the expulsion of China’s Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, after he shared an article about Takaichi’s comments and added that “the dirty head that sticks itself in must be cut off.”
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi described Xue’s statement as “regrettable” and said Tokyo would continue urging Beijing to take “appropriate action” to prevent further harm to bilateral ties.
Motegi, speaking in Canada on the sidelines of the G7 meeting, declined to say whether Japan was considering expelling the Chinese diplomat.
