Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
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
Moscow, December 26 (Xinhua) — China opposes Japan's attempts to challenge the post-war international order and interfere in its domestic affairs. This opinion was expressed by Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui in an op-ed published Thursday in the Russian newspaper Argumenty i Fakty, commenting on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent erroneous statements on the Taiwan issue.
"The Chinese side resolutely opposes Japan's attempts to challenge the post-war international order and interfere in China's internal affairs. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory; this historical and legal fact is beyond dispute," the diplomat stated.
Zhang Hanhui recalled that 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Great Patriotic War, and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's liberation from Japanese occupation. "In the past, Japan seized Taiwan through a war of aggression and unequal treaties and exercised colonial rule over it for 50 years, committing countless crimes," he added.
The Chinese diplomat emphasized that the 1943 Cairo Declaration stipulated that Taiwan, stolen from China by Japan, must be returned. The 1945 Potsdam Declaration stipulated that the provisions of the Cairo Declaration would be implemented. "By signing the Instrument of Surrender, Japan committed itself to faithfully fulfilling all the provisions of the Potsdam Declaration. The Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, issued during the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, clearly spelled out the provisions on the Taiwan question," he explained.
At the same time, the ambassador noted, the Japanese government refuses to clearly reaffirm its position on Taiwan, as outlined in the four political documents between China and Japan. "Such actions grossly violate the principles of international justice, trample on the common moral principles of humanity, and provoke widespread condemnation and strong indignation from the Chinese people and the international community," Zhang Hanhui noted.
The Chinese diplomat reiterated that the Taiwan issue is China's internal affair, and Japan has no right to interfere or express opinions on it. "The Japanese side must strictly abide by the principles and spirit of the Four Political Documents between China and Japan, conscientiously fulfill its relevant legal obligations, exercise restraint and prudence in its statements and actions on the Taiwan issue, demonstrate its commitment to the one-China principle through concrete actions, and immediately cease provocative actions that go beyond the pale and withdraw its erroneous statements," he urged.
Zhang Hanhui noted that Japan's defense budget has been increasing for 13 consecutive years, growing by approximately 60 percent over the past five. Moreover, in recent years, Japan has been steadily moving away from the principle of a "defense-only policy." At the same time, right-wing forces in Japan continue to deny, downplay, and even whitewash acts of aggression and crimes against humanity.
"These dangerous trends deserve the utmost attention and the utmost caution from the international community. China urges Japan to completely abandon its legacy of militarism, deeply acknowledge its historical crimes, sincerely repent, and correct its mistakes in order to prevent a repetition of the tragedies of the past. We also call on all peace-loving countries to jointly exercise vigilance and resolutely suppress any dangerous attempts to revive Japanese militarism, and jointly safeguard hard-won peace and stability throughout the world," the Chinese diplomat stated.
Zhang Hanhui is confident that China and Russia share a common historical mission and responsibility to uphold the achievements of Victory in World War II. He noted that Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has recently refuted Sanae Takaichi's erroneous statements four times, resolutely supporting China's position and sharply condemning attempts to rehabilitate Nazism and militarism, falsify the history of World War II, and downplay responsibility for the crimes committed. "The Chinese side expresses its appreciation and gratitude to the Russian side for this position," the ambassador emphasized, adding that China, in turn, consistently supports Russia's justified efforts to protect its national security and development interests.
The Chinese diplomat stated that on issues affecting each other's core interests, the two sides consistently provide mutually firm support and jointly oppose any attempts by external forces to interfere in their internal affairs, which constitutes the core essence of the Sino-Russian comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction in the new era.
"China will continue to shoulder the special responsibilities of major countries and permanent members of the UN Security Council together with Russia, jointly promote the correct view of the history of World War II, resolutely oppose any attempts to distort history, firmly uphold the results of the victory in World War II, support the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law, and jointly strive to achieve a brighter future for humanity," Zhang Hanhui concluded.
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