Hey everyone! This week, Japanese LDP lawmaker Sanae Takaichi stirred the pot by claiming a “Chinese attack on the Taiwan region” could pose a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan. 😮 Her stance—and refusal to backtrack—has ignited a wave of anger across the Chinese mainland.
China’s foreign ministry quickly fired back, urging Japan to “stop overstepping the line,” retract the remarks, and show respect for past commitments through concrete actions. 📢
Not stopping there, the Chinese Defense Ministry warned that any risky move on the Taiwan question would meet a “crushing defeat against the steel-willed Chinese People’s Liberation Army.” Meanwhile, the China Coast Guard sent patrols around the Diaoyu Dao islands to assert rights “in accordance with the law.” ⚓️
On the home front, tourism and travel sectors felt the fallout. China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism advised locals to hold off on Japan trips for now. Major carriers like Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines rolled out free ticket changes or refunds for Japan-bound flyers. ✈️ Over the weekend, the Ministry of Education even issued an overseas study alert, urging Chinese students in Japan to weigh risks and plan prudently. 🎓
So why the big uproar? First, Takaichi’s comments clash with the one-China principle—the idea that there is only one China, encompassing the island of Taiwan and the Penghu Islands. Under the 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation (accepted by Japan at surrender), territories taken by Japan were to be returned to China. This isn’t just politics—it’s the bedrock of modern international law.
When Japan normalized ties, it signed four political documents with China confirming the one-China principle. By suggesting a Chinese move on Taiwan threatens Japan’s very existence, Takaichi has, in Beijing’s view, trampled on these foundational agreements and risked meddling in the internal affairs of a sovereign state.
As tensions simmer, many in South and Southeast Asia are watching closely. 🤔 Stable cross-strait ties matter for regional trade, tech supply chains, and even our next holiday plans. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops—and let’s hope cooler heads prevail! 🌏
Reference(s):
Why wrath among the Chinese people on Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks
cgtn.com
