BEIJING, Nov 14 — China on Friday issued a sharp warning to Japan, saying it would face a “crushing” military defeat if it attempts to intervene by force in the Taiwan issue. Beijing also advised Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, reacting to remarks made by Japan’s prime minister about Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory.
Earlier in the day, Japan summoned China’s ambassador in Tokyo to protest an online comment posted by a senior Chinese diplomat about Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi — the latest escalation in a week-long back-and-forth between the two nations.
Takaichi triggered a diplomatic clash last week when she told Japan’s parliament that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could create a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan and might require a military response from Tokyo.
Last Saturday, China’s Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, reposted a news article about Takaichi’s statements on Taiwan and added the remark, “the dirty neck that sticks itself in must be cut off,” on X. The post was later deleted.
Japan’s foreign ministry responded by summoning China’s ambassador, calling the remarks “extremely inappropriate.” Some Japanese lawmakers have urged the government to expel Xue, though Tokyo has so far only asked Beijing to take “appropriate steps.”
According to Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin, Takaichi’s comments were highly dangerous and irresponsible.
“If Japan refuses to learn from history and dares to take such a risk — or even considers using force to interfere in the Taiwan matter — it will only face a devastating defeat at the hands of the resolute People’s Liberation Army and will pay a grave price,” Jiang said.
On Thursday, China also summoned Japan’s ambassador in Beijing to issue a strong protest over Takaichi’s remarks. It marked the first time in over two years that China has taken this step; the last summons occurred in August 2023 regarding Japan’s release of wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
China’s foreign ministry on Friday also voiced “serious concerns” about Japan’s recent defense and security decisions, pointing to uncertainty over Japan’s stance on its non-nuclear principles. Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that Japan’s refusal to rule out the possibility of acquiring nuclear-powered submarines signals a major negative shift in policy.
Later that evening, China advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan for the time being, citing worsening relations following Takaichi’s comments and what it described as “significant risks” to Chinese nationals there.
HISTORIC TENSIONS RESURFACE
Chinese state media has also unleashed a series of strongly worded commentaries criticizing Takaichi, reflecting long-standing resentment over Japan’s wartime actions and China’s sensitivity regarding Taiwan — made even sharper by the fact that Chinese leader Xi Jinping had met Takaichi just two weeks earlier in South Korea.
According to the Communist Party’s People’s Daily, Takaichi’s remarks were not an “isolated outburst.” The commentary argued that Japan’s political right has long aimed to loosen the constraints of its post-World War II constitution and pursue a more assertive military stance.
“In recent years, Japan has been racing forward on the road of military expansion,” the article said.
It accused Japanese leaders of everything from repeated visits to the Yasukuni Shrine and denying historical atrocities like the Nanjing Massacre, to promoting the so-called “China threat theory.”
“Takaichi’s every move follows the old tracks of historical guilt,” the newspaper wrote, accusing her of attempting to revive militarism.
World War II and Japan’s earlier invasion of China in 1931 continue to fuel friction between the two nations.
China claims Taiwan — a self-governed democracy — as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to take control of the island. Taiwan rejects China’s claims and insists that only its own people can decide the island’s future.
Taiwan lies just over 110 kilometers from Japanese territory, and the surrounding waters form a crucial shipping route for Japan’s trade. Japan also hosts the largest concentration of U.S. military forces stationed abroad.
Japanese broadcaster NTV reported on Friday that the Chinese embassy in Tokyo told its staff to avoid going out due to concerns about rising anti-China sentiment.
Japan’s top government spokesperson, Minoru Kihara, reiterated Tokyo’s long-standing stance on Taiwan, telling reporters that Japan hopes the issue can be resolved peacefully through dialogue.
BEIJING’S RISING RHETORIC
China has also intensified its criticism of what it calls “hardcore” Taiwan independence supporters.
On Friday, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office denounced Puma Shen, a lawmaker from Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, who visited Berlin earlier this week. Shen said Chinese authorities were threatening to target him during international travel, though he stated he was not intimidated.
“Advocates of Taiwan independence are nearing the end of their road,” spokesperson Chen Binhua said.
A day earlier, Chinese police issued a wanted notice and offered a $35,000 reward for two Taiwanese social media personalities accused of leading “separatist” activities.
The influencers mocked the announcement on their platforms. One of them — rapper Mannam PYC — posted a video on Friday pretending to turn himself in to Taiwanese police.
“Why won’t Taiwan police arrest me? Does that mean everyone supports Taiwan independence?” he joked.
China’s legal system holds no authority in Taiwan.
