Beijing is ignoring international appeals for peace in the Taiwan Strait, and is threatening countries that express pro-Taiwan sentiments, Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Deputy Minister Shen Yu-chung (沈有忠) said yesterday.
Shen made the comment as a diplomatic spat between Japan and China escalated over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments regarding Taiwan.
China yesterday demanded that Takaichi retract her remark about a possible conflict over Taiwan, while a state-run newspaper called it Tokyo’s “first threat of force” against Beijing in 80 years.
Photo: AFP
Takaichi last week said if military force were to be used in a Taiwan conflict, it could be considered a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan.
That specific wording matters, as it would provide Japan with a legal justification to deploy its military to help defend friendly nations.
Her comments drew an angry response from Chinese Consul General in Osaka Xue Jian (薛劍), who posted on social media: “If you go sticking that filthy neck where it doesn’t belong, it’s gonna get sliced right off. You ready for that?”
The post was later deleted.
Meanwhile, Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong (孫衛東) on Thursday summoned the Japanese ambassador over Takaichi’s statement.
Takaichi should disavow her comments, “otherwise all consequences must be borne by Japan,” Sun said. “If anyone dares to interfere with China’s reunification cause in any form, China will surely strike back hard.”
Hours later, a commentary in the Chinese state-run People’s Daily called Takaichi’s comments “extremely sinister.”
It is unclear whether Sun’s summoning of the Japanese ambassador simply marked Beijing’s desire to make its displeasure formally known or if the episode would have any impact on business or trade ties.
At a forum in Taipei, Shen said Taiwan has always been committed to maintaining the “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait, while China has attempted to disrupt that peace.
Beijing is ignoring international appeals regarding cross-strait issues, and intimidates other countries over their pro-Taiwan statements and actions, he said.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara yesterday said Tokyo complained to Beijing over Xue’s remarks.
“We reiterated our position on the matter and explained the intention behind Prime Minister Takaichi’s comments,” Kihara said.
Tokyo also said it summoned Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao (吳江浩) “and strongly protested against the extremely inappropriate statements” made by Xue.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Wu to ensure “the Chinese side takes appropriate measures,” it added.
Kanasugi at the Caixin Summit in Beijing on Thursday said China and Japan should deepen their relationship.
Asked how bilateral ties would evolve under Takaichi, Kanasugi said: “As neighbors, we have all sorts of difficulties, problems occur, a lot of ups and downs.”
“We should manage these difficulties, and at the same time, we have to enhance and deepen our cooperation on what I call common agenda items,” he added.
Additional reporting by AFP and Chung Li-hua
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