Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks represented a “crude interference” in China’s internal affairs and dealt a “heavy blow” to bilateral relations, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said.
China’s foreign ministry on Thursday (Nov 13) demanded Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi retract what it called her “egregious” remarks related to Taiwan, warning that otherwise Japan “must bear all consequences” for the comments.
Takaichi sparked a diplomatic row with Beijing with remarks in parliament last week that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could amount to a “survival-threatening situation” and trigger a potential military response from Tokyo.
In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a press conference that Takaichi’s remarks represented a “crude interference” in China’s internal affairs and dealt a “heavy blow” to bilateral relations.
Beijing claims democratically-governed Taiwan as its own and has not ruled out using force to take control of the island. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s claims and says only its people can decide the island’s future.
“Should Japan dare to intervene militarily in the Taiwan Strait situation, it will constitute an act of aggression, and China will strike back decisively,” Lin said.
There has been little sign this week that tensions over Takaichi’s comments were easing.
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