"Tensions Rise in the Region" China Opposes Japan's Participation in the 'Washington Declaration'

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed opposition to the possibility of Japan joining the 'Washington Declaration' proclaimed by the South Korean and U.S. leaders.

Wang Wenbin, Spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. [Photo by Yonhap News]

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing on the 8th, "It could escalate regional tensions, undermine the nuclear non-proliferation regime, and harm the strategic interests of other countries," emphasizing, "We hope the relevant countries do not go further down the wrong path."

He added, "The root and context of the Korean Peninsula issue are clear," and "There is no way out by dividing sides and forming small groups to oppose each other."

President Yoon Suk-yeol said at a joint press conference following the South Korea-Japan summit the previous day that the Washington Declaration, which includes measures to strengthen nuclear deterrence against North Korea, is "an agreement initially based on a bilateral framework between South Korea and the United States," but "does not exclude Japan's participation."

Spokesperson Wang also commented on the upcoming trilateral summit among South Korea, China, and Japan, which South Korea is pushing to hold within the year as the chair country, saying, "China, Japan, and South Korea are close neighbors," and "We must work together to safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations and strive for stable, sound, and sustainable development of trilateral cooperation."

In response to opinions suggesting that the trilateral summit may be difficult to hold amid disagreements over the Taiwan issue, this was interpreted as emphasizing the efforts of South Korea and Japan to create an atmosphere for the normal holding of the meeting.

China's state-run Global Times reported in an article related to the South Korea-Japan summit that if South Korea and Japan do not correct their positions on issues such as Taiwan, it will be difficult to resume the trilateral summit among South Korea, China, and Japan.

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