China Points Japan Journey Warning After PM’s Taiwan Remarks

China on Friday urged its residents to keep away from touring to Japan, as feedback by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about Japan’s doable position in a Taiwan battle deepen a diplomatic dispute.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry mentioned that “the atmosphere surrounding people-to-people exchanges has severely deteriorated, posing serious risks to the safety of Chinese citizens.”

Why It Matters

While China claims self-ruled Taiwan is its territory, different international locations do view it as a sovereign nation. The United States doesn’t formally acknowledge Taiwan, however leaders have raised issues over China’s efforts to carry it below Beijing’s management utilizing army power.

In current days, China has issued threats to Japan’s new chief after Takaichi instructed Japan might deploy its forces to the area if China makes a transfer.

What To Know

China has summoned the Japanese ambassador in Beijing and demanded that Takaichi retract her remarks, the Chinese Foreign Ministry mentioned on Friday. Meanwhile, Japan’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged that it lodged the same protest on the identical day over a current social media publish by a Chinese diplomat linked to the remarks.

Calling Takaichi’s remarks “extremely wrong and dangerous,” Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong warned in his assembly with envoy Kenji Kanasugi on Thursday that “anyone who dares to interfere in China’s reunification cause in any form will surely be dealt a heavy blow,” in keeping with the Foreign Ministry.

Sun was additionally quoted as saying the Japanese chief’s “provocative” remarks, which implied “the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait,” severely undermined the political basis of bilateral relations and damage the emotions of the Chinese individuals.

“The 1.4 billion Chinese people will never tolerate this,” he added.

Sun maintained that Taiwan is a part of Chinese territory and that issues associated to the nation had been on the core of China’s core pursuits, calling it “an untouchable red line.” Kanasugi disagreed.

China’s Defense Ministry mentioned that if Japan makes use of forces to intrude, the People’s Liberation Army would deal them “a crushing defeat.”

Takaichi informed a parliamentary committee session final Friday {that a} Chinese army assault on Taiwan might current a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan which will lead it to train its proper to collective self-defense. Earlier this week, she denied any intention to retract her remarks, saying they had been made on the idea of a “worst-case” situation.

This prompted days of back-and-forth between the 2 international locations, with threats coming from Chinese officers as efforts had been made to de-escalate the scenario. Japan has acknowledged that it understands China’s place on Taiwan, regardless of the 2 international locations being ruled individually since 1949.

What People Are Saying

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian mentioned at a press convention: “On issues related to our sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, we will never make any compromises. No one should ever challenge our red lines. Any force who attempts to stop China’s reunification is doomed to fail.”

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara informed reporters on Friday: “To the Chinese government, I have given explanations. Prime Minister ]Takaichi’s] remarks do not change the past government’s stance on this issue. The stability and peace of Taiwan’s fate is quite important for Japan’s security and the stability of the international community as a whole. Various issues surrounding Taiwan will be solved based on dialogues in a peaceful way.”

What Happens Next

Japan gave the impression to be searching for additional discussions and diplomacy with China within the coming days to ease tensions.

This article consists of reporting by the Associated Press.

Update 11/14/25, 1:04 p.m. ET: This article was up to date with extra info.