China-Japan Diplomatic Fallout Continues Over Taiwan Comments

TaiwanPlus News

Following Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's comments on Japan's "Taiwan Contingency," the war of words between China and Japan has only escalated.

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00:00A Japanese government spokesperson says China should take appropriate action regarding comments

00:05made by their Consul General in Osaka.

00:08It's just the latest in a week-long back-and-forth.

00:10The exchange began after Japanese Prime Minister Takeichi Sainai said that a Chinese attack

00:15on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

00:19Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is important for the national security of Japan

00:24and the stability of the international community.

00:27There are several Chinese officials that have made inappropriate remarks over Prime Minister

00:31Takeichi's statement.

00:33We launched a protest and we urged China to act properly.

00:37The government is strongly urging China to take appropriate measures.

00:42China's representative in Osaka had responded to Takeichi's remarks on Taiwan by posting

00:46online,

00:47The dirty head that sticks itself in must be cut off.

00:50And on Thursday, Beijing summoned Japan's ambassador to formally complain about Takeichi's comments

00:55and her unwillingness to retract them.

00:57The strong response took many by surprise.

00:59Just two weeks after Takeichi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit, seeking

01:04to stabilize ties.

01:05I think that, in Beijing's eyes, is essentially going to be crossing the line vis-à-vis Japan's

01:13long-standing one-China policy.

01:15She definitely, I think, knows very well that any future comment vis-à-vis Taiwan will have

01:22to be handled and shaped in a more careful manner rather than being so blunt and direct.

01:29Much of China's criticism of Takeichi has centered on her past statements seen as downplaying

01:33Japan's actions in World War II.

01:36On Thursday, China's foreign ministry accused Japan of failing to, quote-unquote, fully repent

01:41for its war crimes.

01:43Just one day after a state-affiliated blog said the prime minister was an opportunist looking

01:47to exploit conservative forces.

01:50While that may be an effective rallying cry, it also could make repairing relations more difficult.

01:54I think the best possible way to predict is the Japanese government is likely going to,

02:03in public, try to let this just blow over.

02:06I also see a possibility that China is not going to let Takeichi off the hook so easily.

02:13So there might still be some residual prolonged period of tension where the Chinese side will

02:18continue to use different channels to press Japan and even consider threatening some

02:24kind of economic coercion.

02:28China is Japan's largest trading partner and could be vulnerable if the situation continues

02:32to deteriorate.

02:33With neither side seeming willing to fully back down, the ongoing diplomatic spat threatens

02:38to spell trouble for Japan-China relations under the new prime minister, just over a month

02:42into her tenure.

02:44Alex Chen and Larry Siano for Taiwan Plus.

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