China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi sharply criticized Japan on Sunday for sending what he called a “wrong signal” regarding Taiwan, warning that Tokyo’s recent remarks had crossed a serious red line.
In an official statement on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website, Wang described Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments as “shocking” and accused her of trying to involve Japan militarily over Taiwan. The comments in question, made in Japan’s parliament on November 7, suggested that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could prompt a Japanese military response.
This development marks the most significant China-Japan diplomatic crisis in years, spilling over into trade and cultural relations. China raised the issue with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday, emphasizing its readiness to defend itself.
Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s government continues to reject Beijing’s claims, emphasizing that only its citizens can determine the island’s future.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry has not directly responded to Wang’s statement but previously dismissed China’s letter to the UN as “entirely unacceptable,” reaffirming Japan’s commitment to peace. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the letter, calling it “rude, unreasonable, and a malicious distortion of historical facts,” while citing Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force in international relations.
Wang stressed that China must respond firmly, asserting that the country will defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the postwar achievements secured with sacrifice. He warned that if Japan continues on this path, all nations and people have the right to “re-examine Japan’s historical crimes” and prevent a resurgence of militarism.
China remains a critical trading partner for Japan, buying about $125 billion worth of Japanese goods in 2024, including industrial equipment, semiconductors, and automobiles, making it Japan’s second-largest export market after the United States.
In the human context: While these tensions unfold on the global stage, the voices and choices of everyday people—from Taiwanese citizens to Japanese families and Chinese communities—remain deeply affected. Geopolitical moves may dominate headlines, but they also remind us that diplomacy, understanding, and dialogue are essential to ensure safety, stability, and a peaceful future.
