Beijing’s top diplomat issued a stark warning against any attempt to thwart reunification with Taiwan and reiterated its criticism of Tokyo, diminishing hopes that the diplomatic row sparked by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan would come to an end any time soon.
The comments by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, delivered in a press conference on Sunday as part of the “two sessions”, were the latest in a series of strong criticisms by Beijing officials following Takaichi’s remarks in November, when she suggested Japan’s military might intervene in the event of a Taiwan conflict.
Takaichi, who extended her tenure in last month’s general election, is set to visit the US later this month, ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to China.
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“As is known to all, the exercise of the right of self-defence is predicated on one’s own country being under armed attack. Let me ask, what gives Japan the right to interfere in Taiwan affairs, which are China’s internal affairs?” Wang said when asked about ties with Tokyo.
“If something happens in China’s Taiwan region, what gives Japan the right to exercise the right to self-defence? Does the so-called collective self-defence right mean that Japan intends to hollow out its pacifist constitution, which renounces the right of belligerency?” the Chinese foreign minister continued.
Beijing lays out its views on world order at Chinese Foreign Minister’s press conference
Beijing lays out its views on world order at Chinese Foreign Minister’s press conference
Wang referred to Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party as the “root cause undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait”.