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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING/TOKYO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's provocative remarks against Taiwan last week continued to draw criticism at home, with China issuing stern warnings over her irresponsible move.
At a Diet session last week, Sanae Takaichi stated that Japan's Self-Defense Forces could exercise their right to collective self-defense if mainland China "uses armed force against Taiwan." Despite significant protests and demurrers from China, she refused to retract her remarks, which implied the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait.
Sanae Takaichi's erroneous and dangerous statements have drawn sharp criticism from high-ranking political figures and media outlets in the country.
Speaking on TBS Radio on Thursday, former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called Sanae Takaichi's comments "very similar to the claim that Taiwan's emergencies are Japan's emergencies," adding that previous governments have consistently avoided making definitive statements about how the government would respond to specific scenarios regarding the Taiwan issue.
Hiroshi Ogushi of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) demanded that Sanae Takaichi retract her remarks, Jiji News Agency reported on Tuesday.
"If a 'survival-threatening situation' is recognized, it will lead to the mobilization of defense forces. This decision is tantamount to entering a war, and previous cabinets have been cautious in making such statements," he said.
House of Representatives member Ichiro Ozawa of the KDP wrote on X on Tuesday that "this has become a real 'existential crisis' that ultimately forces people to make great sacrifices," and "that is why diplomacy and politics must always remain calm."
Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama responded to Sanae Takaichi's erroneous statements on social media on Tuesday, saying Japan should not interfere in China's internal affairs.
On Tuesday, Nikkei newspaper criticized the prime minister for abandoning "strategic ambiguity." Mainichi newspaper wrote in an editorial that Sanae Takaichi's comments demonstrate a lack of awareness of the seriousness of the issue and noted that she must acknowledge that careless statements could become diplomatic flashpoints.
The Yomiuri Shinbun newspaper wrote in an editorial on Thursday that using security policy for political purposes is completely unacceptable, noting that politicians should not play politics with serious issues.
Chinese authorities have expressed strong disagreement and issued clear warnings in response to Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong summoned Japanese Ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi on Thursday, making a serious representation on the issue and calling Sanae Takaichi's remarks about Taiwan "extremely wrong and dangerous."
Sun Weidong called on Japan to reflect deeply on its historical crimes and responsibilities, immediately acknowledge and correct its mistakes, withdraw its bad remarks, and not continue down the wrong path.
A spokesman for China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office reiterated on Friday that the resolution of the Taiwan question is the sole prerogative of the Chinese people and does not allow for interference by any external forces, noting that Japan has committed crimes against the Chinese people in connection with the Taiwan question.
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