Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on Japan to adjust its position regarding Taiwan, citing strained bilateral relations.
Key facts
- •Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Takeshi Iwaya, head of the Japan Association for the Promotion of International Trade, in Beijing.
- •Wang stated that Japan must correct its leaders' words and actions regarding Taiwan to improve bilateral relations.
- •Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi previously suggested a Chinese attack on Taiwan could threaten Japan's survival.
- •The U.S. Typhon missile system will be relocated to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa around mid-October.
- •Japan and China are scheduled to mark the 55th anniversary of the normalization of their ties next year.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with former Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya in Beijing on Tuesday to discuss the current state of Japan-China relations. During the meeting, Wang urged Japan to correct the erroneous words and actions of its leaders concerning the Taiwan question. He described the bilateral relationship as facing a grave situation that requires normalization.
Diplomatic Tensions and Taiwan
The tension stems from comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last November, in which she suggested that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could be considered a survival-threatening situation for Japan. Beijing has repeatedly protested this stance, which could potentially allow Tokyo to exercise collective self-defense. Wang Yi emphasized that correcting these views is an urgent task for Japan.
Historical and Security Concerns
Beyond the Taiwan issue, Wang warned Japan against challenging its postwar Peace Constitution or attempting to rehabilitate war criminals, noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the Tokyo Trials. Meanwhile, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced that the U.S. Typhon missile system, currently in southwestern Japan, will be moved to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa around mid-October. The system is not intended for permanent deployment.
Timeline
- November (last year)Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated a Chinese attack on Taiwan could threaten Japan's survival.
- TuesdayWang Yi and Takeshi Iwaya met in Beijing to discuss bilateral relations.
- Mid-OctoberThe U.S. Typhon missile system is scheduled to be transferred to Kadena Air Base.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Nikkei Asia, Anadolu Agency.
