In a firm diplomatic response, China has demanded Japan retract what it characterizes as erroneous statements concerning Taiwan while simultaneously rejecting critiques of its defense expenditure as unfounded. The confrontation emerged during a regular press briefing in Beijing, where Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun addressed recent comments from Japanese officials.
The diplomatic friction originates from November 7th remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting that potential Chinese military action toward Taiwan could constitute a ‘survival-threatening situation’ for Japan. This was followed by statements from Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi who, while referencing historical agreements, notably omitted crucial language from the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement regarding China’s sovereignty over Taiwan.
Guo highlighted Japan’s selective citation of historical documents, noting that when referencing the Cairo Declaration, Japanese officials deliberately avoided acknowledging that territories including Formosa (Taiwan) were ‘stolen from the Chinese.’ The spokesman further criticized Japan for juxtaposing the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement with the Treaty of San Francisco, which China considers a violation of Japan’s international commitments.
The timing carries historical significance, marking the 80th anniversary of both victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the restoration of Taiwan. Guo emphasized Japan’s colonial history in Taiwan, stating that given this background, ‘Japan is in no position to make any interference’ in Taiwan matters.
Separately, China rebuked Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s characterization of China’s defense spending increases. Guo defended China’s military expenditure as necessary for national security and international responsibilities, while noting that Japan’s own defense spending has surged approximately 60% over the past five years and continues rising for the thirteenth consecutive year.
The spokesman concluded with a stark warning about Japan’s remilitarization efforts, urging ‘all peace-loving countries’ to remain vigilant against any revival of Japanese militarism and to uphold the outcomes of World War II victory.