China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister addresses the United Nations Security Council at United Nations Headquarters to discuss the Ukraine conflict on September 22, 2022 in New York City.
Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images News | Getty Images
In an official statement on Sunday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said it was “shocking” for Japan’s leader to openly send the wrong signals regarding Taiwan, with recent comments rocking relations for more than two consecutive weeks.
Wang, the most senior Chinese official to comment publicly on the issue, said Japan had crossed a red line that should not be touched or crossed, according to a statement posted on the Chinese Foreign Ministry website.
He accused Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of attempting military intervention in Taiwan. Wang was referring to remarks he made in parliament on Nov. 7, when he told a questioner that a hypothetical Chinese attack on democratically ruled Taiwan could trigger a military response from the Japanese government.
The ensuing turmoil, the biggest Sino-Japanese crisis in recent years, spread to trade and cultural relations. On Friday, China raised the issue with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and vowed to defend itself.
The Chinese government considers Taiwan, which is under democratic rule, to be its own territory, and has not ruled out using force to seize control of the island. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s claims, saying only islanders can decide their future.
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wang’s remarks on Sunday. In response to a letter to the United Nations, the ministry on Saturday dismissed China’s claims as “totally unacceptable” and said Japan’s commitment to peace remained unchanged.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday condemned the letter to the United Nations.
“The letter not only contains disrespectful and irrational content, but also maliciously distorts historical facts,” the ministry said in a statement.
“Furthermore, this violates Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force in international relations.”
“China must resolutely counterattack, not only to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also to protect the hard-earned post-war gains secured with blood and sacrifice,” Wang said in response to Japan’s move.
If Japan “continues down the wrong path,” all countries and peoples have the right to “reexamine Japan’s historical crimes” and “resolutely prevent the return of Japanese militarism,” he said.
According to United Nations COMTRADE data, China is Japan’s largest export market after the United States, and will purchase approximately $125 billion of Japanese products in 2024, mainly industrial equipment, semiconductors, and automobiles.
