Tokyo expresses concern to Beijing over military drills around Taiwan: report

The Japanese government has expressed concern to Beijing over its military drills around Taiwan amid tensions between the two countries that are already strained by the Japanese prime minister’s comments nearly two months ago about a Taiwan contingency, according to Kyodo.

It coincides with a statement by Japan that Chinese coastguard vessels have patrolled near the Diaoyu Islands – which are at the centre of a separate long-time dispute between the two countries – for a record number of days this year.

Tokyo conveyed to Beijing on Monday that it expected issues concerning Taiwan to be resolved peacefully through dialogue, according to Kyodo which cited “a source familiar with the development”.

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People’s Liberation Army holds second day of live-fire exercises around Taiwan

Beijing launched massive live-fire drills and blockade exercises around Taiwan on Monday and Tuesday, firing rockets and mobilising destroyers and missile launchers. The drills serve as a warning to “independence forces” and against external interference, according to the People’s Liberation Army.

Beijing called the arms sale, which still needs approval from the United States Congress, “flagrant interference in China’s internal affairs”.

Tensions between Beijing and Tokyo escalated dramatically after Takaichi suggested in early November that an attack on Taiwan could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, justifying military intervention from Tokyo.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China, to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US and Japan, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.

South China Morning Post