China-Japan Clash Over Taiwan Issue... China Reacts, "We Are Not Who We Were"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eunbyeol] After a senior Japanese government official reportedly stated that Taiwan must be protected against China, China strongly protested, saying it is "not the China of the past."

According to Chinese media including Guancha.com on the 6th, Taro Aso, Japan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, said at an event held in Tokyo the previous day, "If China uses force against Taiwan, the Japanese government must protect Taiwan together with the United States."

In response, Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing that day, "This is a very dangerous statement that undermines the political foundation of China-Japan relations," and "We have lodged a stern protest with Japan." He mentioned Japan's past invasion and emphasized, "Today’s China is not the China of that time."

He added, "China will not tolerate any country interfering in the Taiwan issue," warning, "Do not underestimate the firm determination and strong will of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty."

China and Japan have recently clashed repeatedly over the Taiwan issue.

In early last month, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga referred to Taiwan as a "country," and Yasuhide Nakayama, Japan’s Deputy Minister of Defense, also recently stated that Taiwan must be protected against China’s military pressure. Each time such remarks were made, China sent warning messages to Japan.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.