“Without hesitation spouting nonsense”China insults Japan’s prime minister over Taiwan’s statement
Public humiliation is not actually on the agenda for talks between Japan and China. The new Japanese Prime Minister’s statement about Taiwan is now causing a stir. Beijing reacted angrily.
The diplomatic dispute between China and Japan regarding the Taiwan issue has indeed caused a stir. Comments in Chinese state media and calls in Tokyo for the expulsion of a diplomat from the People’s Republic of China sharpened the tone. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV described new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan as “extremely malicious.”
He had “crossed the line.” A social media account linked to the broadcaster called Takaichi a “troublemaker”. “Was his head kicked by a donkey?” he said. “If he continues spouting nonsense like this, Takaichi might have to suffer the consequences!”
Takaichi’s comments sparked debate. He said in parliament that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could represent a “life-threatening situation” for Japan and trigger a military response from Tokyo. Beijing then lodged an official protest. China’s Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, commented on an article about Takaichi’s comments, saying “the annoying dirty heads should be cut off.” The government in Tokyo described this as “highly inappropriate” and complained to Beijing. Takaichi then stated that he would refrain from making such statements in the future.
New policy regarding the Taiwan issue
With his words, the Prime Minister broke with his previous policy of “strategic ambiguity” regarding the Taiwan issue. This is also being pursued by Japan’s most important security partner, the United States. Previously, Japanese officials had avoided mentioning Taiwan directly when discussing such a scenario publicly.
The government in Beijing considers democratically ruled Taiwan a breakaway province and has not ruled out violent conquest. This island is only about 110 kilometers from Japanese territory. The government in Taipei rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
In Japan, leaders called for the expulsion of Chinese diplomat Xue. Takayuki Kobayashi of the ruling LDP party and leading opposition lawmaker Kenta Izumi supported his immediate dismissal. China said the now-deleted post was written by Xue in his personal capacity. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said the consul’s comments risked stoking anti-Japanese sentiment in China. “If this is not handled properly, this could escalate significantly,” Lin said.
