China has once again criticized Japan over statements made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan.
The nature of the statements was “extremely malicious” and had angered the Chinese people, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in Beijing on Tuesday.
China demands that Japan retract the statements, she said.
Earlier this month, Takaichi told the Japanese parliament that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would constitute an “existential threat” that could lead Japan to exercise its right to self-defence, noting that Taiwan lies close to vital shipping lanes.
Relations between China and Japan have long been difficult, and Takaichi is regarded as a critic of China.
Following Takaichi’s remarks, the Chinese government advised its citizens not to travel to Japan. Beijing has recently toughened its tone on the Taiwan issue towards foreign countries.
Meanwhile, the Japanese embassy in China is also warning its citizens to avoid crowded public places and to be mindful of their safety due to the reporting of the issue in the People’s Republic.
In an effort to cool the heated dispute, a senior official from Japan’s Foreign Ministry held talks with his counterpart in Beijing on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara signalled openness to dialogue after Beijing said there were no plans for a meeting between Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and Takaichi during the G20 summit in South Africa later this month.