标签： Asia

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent comments on Taiwan have ignited a wave of domestic criticism and drawn stern warnings from China. Speaking at a Diet meeting last week, Takaichi suggested that Japan’s Self-Defense Force could exercise the right of collective self-defense if China were to use military force against Taiwan. Despite China’s strong objections and diplomatic protests, Takaichi has refused to retract her remarks, which imply potential armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait. Her statements have been labeled as both erroneous and dangerous by senior political figures and media outlets in Japan. Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba criticized Takaichi’s comments as dangerously close to equating a Taiwan contingency with a Japan contingency, a stance previous governments had carefully avoided. Hiroshi Ogushi of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan demanded Takaichi revoke her remarks, emphasizing the gravity of such declarations. Ichiro Ozawa, another CDPJ member, warned that such rhetoric could lead to significant sacrifices for the Japanese people. Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama reiterated that Japan should not interfere in China’s internal affairs. Major Japanese newspapers, including the Nikkei and Yomiuri Shimbun, have also condemned Takaichi’s abandonment of ‘strategic ambiguity’ and her exploitation of security policy for political gain.

Tensions between China and Japan have intensified following a travel advisory issued by Beijing urging its citizens to avoid visiting Japan. The advisory, announced on Friday, cited concerns over recent attacks against Chinese nationals in Japan and what it described as “erroneous remarks” by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan. China argued that these comments have undermined the atmosphere for bilateral exchanges between the two nations. In response, Japan lodged a formal protest, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara urging China to take “appropriate measures” to address the situation. Kihara emphasized the importance of multilayered communication to navigate the differences between the two governments. This latest development comes amid a broader context of strained relations, as Takaichi, who assumed office last month, has advocated for strengthening Japan’s military to counter potential threats from China, particularly in contested waters of the western Pacific. The dispute has further complicated an already fragile relationship, with China asserting its territorial claims over Taiwan and conducting military drills in the region. While neither Japan nor the United States maintains official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the U.S. remains a key supplier of defense equipment to the island and opposes any forceful resolution to the China-Taiwan issue. The travel advisory, which appears more stringent than previous warnings, has raised questions about its potential impact on Chinese tourism to Japan, a popular destination that significantly contributes to Japan’s economy. Several Chinese airlines have already offered no-penalty refunds for tickets to Japan following the announcement.

In a significant diplomatic move, nine countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have jointly endorsed a US-drafted United Nations Security Council resolution supporting President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. The resolution, formally circulated last week, proposes a two-year mandate for a transitional governance body and an international stabilization force. The plan, announced on September 29, aims to pave the way for Palestinian self-determination and statehood, according to a joint statement issued by the UAE, US, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Turkey. These nations emphasized the plan as a sincere effort toward achieving peace and stability in the region. The US mission to the UN has urged the Security Council to expedite the resolution’s adoption. Notably, Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of Trump’s 20-point plan in October, which includes a hostage release deal and is annexed to the draft resolution. While Trump has ruled out deploying US troops to Gaza, discussions are underway with countries like Indonesia, the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Azerbaijan to contribute approximately 20,000 troops to the stabilization force.

China has issued a stern protest against the United States following the announcement of a new arms sale to Taiwan, labeling the move as a severe violation of its sovereignty and security interests. Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, emphasized that the sale, which includes aircraft parts worth approximately $330 million, sends a dangerous signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists. He reiterated China’s unwavering opposition to such transactions, urging the US to adhere to the one-China principle and the three US-China joint communiques, particularly the August 17 Communique. Chen warned that the actions of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, under the leadership of Lai Ching-te, have exacerbated tensions by pursuing military expansion and relying on external forces. He described Taiwan as being pushed toward becoming a ‘powder keg,’ jeopardizing the safety and well-being of its residents. Chen asserted that China would take all necessary measures to safeguard its national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, declaring that any path toward ‘Taiwan independence’ is doomed to fail.