On Monday (Dec 1, 2025), China's UN envoy Fu Cong sent a letter to Secretary-General António Guterres, firmly pushing back against Japan's arguments about a "Taiwan contingency". Here's the quick rundown:
- What sparked this? On Nov 7, Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told lawmakers that a "Taiwan contingency" could threaten Japan's survival, hinting at possible military intervention.
- China's stance: Fu Cong said these remarks challenge the outcomes of World War II, violate the UN Charter, and dodge key issues.
- The "consistent position" challenge: China has repeatedly asked Japan to clarify its so-called consistent stance on the Taiwan question—but hasn't gotten a straight answer.
- Postwar documents matter: China pointed to the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, which affirm the Chinese mainland's sovereignty over the island of Taiwan.
- Defense vs. offense: Japan claims an "exclusively defense-oriented" strategy, yet has raised its defense budget 13 years in a row and loosened arms export and nuclear norms.
- Global warning: Fu urged the international community to stay vigilant against moves by right-wing forces in Japan that could revive militarism and unsettle regional peace.
- Next steps: China wants Tokyo to retract the remarks, reaffirm the one-China principle, and honor its past commitments to rebuild mutual trust.
🤝 With China-Japan ties at a crossroads, all eyes are on whether Tokyo will stick to its postwar pledges. The next UN General Assembly could get heated, so stay tuned!
Reference(s):
China writes to UN chief refuting Japan's arguments as unreasonable
cgtn.com
