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China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi says Japan “crossed a red line” after its new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made comments suggesting a potential military intervention over Taiwan.
The Chinese top diplomat slammed the Japanese leader’s comments, which claimed that China’s naval blockade or other action against Taiwan could be “grounds” for a Japanese military response, calling them reckless and “shocking”.
“It is shocking that Japan’s current leaders have publicly sent the wrong signal of attempting military intervention in the Taiwan issue, said things they shouldn’t have said, and crossed a red line that should not have been touched,” said Wang Yi in a written statement.
Wang, the most senior Chinese official to address the tensions so far, added that China must “resolutely respond” to Japan’s actions and that all countries have the responsibility to “prevent the resurgence of Japanese militarism.”
Takaichi’s remarks have led to rising tensions between the two countries over the past few weeks. Beijing on Friday sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticising her “grave violation of international law” and diplomatic norms.
“If Japan dares to attempt an armed intervention in the cross-Strait situation, it would be an act of aggression,” said China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong in the letter.
“China will resolutely exercise its right of self-defence under the UN Charter and international law and firmly defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he added.
Beijing sees self-ruled Taiwan — a former Japanese colony — as its own territory, to be annexed by force if necessary.
China objects to the involvement of other countries in Taiwan, notably the United States, which is the island’s main supplier of weapons, as well as US allies in Asia, including Japan and the Philippines.
The Japanese premier’s stance is seen as more forceful than that of previous Japanese prime ministers, who have expressed concern about China’s threat to Taiwan but haven’t publicly said how Japan would respond.
Takaichi, asked to further elaborate on her comments, refused to retract her remarks but said she would avoid talking about specific scenarios in the future.
Additional sources • AP
