China says Japan ‘crossed red line’ with Taiwan military intervention remarks

Japan “crossed a red line” with comments by its new leader suggesting a potential military intervention over Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday.

Remarks earlier this month by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that a Chinese naval blockade or other action against Taiwan could be grounds for a Japanese military response were “shocking,” Wang said in a statement posted on the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website.

“It is shocking that Japan's current leaders have publicly sent the wrong signal of attempting military intervention in the Taiwan issue, said things they shouldn't have said, and crossed a red line that should not have been touched,” Wang said.

Also read: Delhi's toxic air remains ‘very poor' with AQI 397; protesters stun cops with chilli spray

The most senior Chinese official to address the tensions so far, Wang added that China must “resolutely respond” to Japan's actions and that all countries have the responsibility to “prevent the resurgence of Japanese militarism.”

Takaichi's remarks have led to rising tensions between the two countries over the past few weeks. Beijing on Friday sent a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticizing Takaichi's “grave violation of international law” and diplomatic norms.

Also read: Chilli spray, 15 arrests: How Delhi pollution protests unfolded at India Gate

“If Japan dares to attempt an armed intervention in the cross-Strait situation, it would be an act of aggression,” China's U.N. Ambassador Fu Cong wrote in the letter. “China will resolutely exercise its right of self-defense under the UN Charter and international law and firmly defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Beijing sees self-ruled Taiwan — a former Japanese colony — as its own territory, to be annexed by force if necessary. China objects to the involvement of other countries in Taiwan, notably the United States, which is the island's main supplier of weapons, as well as U.S. allies in Asia, including Japan and the Philippines.

Also read: Justice Surya Kant takes oath as 53rd Chief Justice of India

Takaichi's stance is seen as more forceful than that of previous Japanese prime ministers, who have expressed concern about China's threat to Taiwan but haven't publicly said how Japan would respond.

The prime minister later refused to retract her remarks but said she would avoid talking about specific scenarios in the future.

Source: Hindustan Times
Related Posts: Trump shares wild conspiracy theory suggesting Biden was killed in 2020 Red Line Crossed Ryder Cup abuse of McIlroy crossed the line All red lines have been crossed Japan says Trump has invited its leader to the U Japan's Takaichi and China's Xi Jinping call for stable Japan-China ties in first meeting Japan will pay ‘painful price’ if it steps out of line over Taiwan Japan's ruling party to vote for second new leader in a year Amazon has crossed $20 billion in exports from India over 10 years Crossed all limits of flattery