China-Japan tensions spike as Diplomat leaves Tokyo talks ‘Unsatisfied’ over Taiwan row

The diplomatic fault‑line over the Taiwan Strait between China and Japan has deepened after a senior Chinese diplomat said he was “dissatisfied” with bilateral talks in Tokyo this week. The meeting on Tuesday between Liu Jinsong, Director‑General of the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Department of Asian Affairs, and Japanese diplomat Masaaki Kanai in Tokyo ended without any indication of a breakthrough, with Liu telling Chinese state‑media outlet The Paper that the meeting had not met his expectations.

Underlying the stand‑off is Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s unprecedented statement linking the contingency in the Taiwan Strait to the possible deployment of Japanese forces.

The comments sparked a response from Beijing, which lodged a formal protest and accused Japan of harboring “militarist demons”.

At the talks, Kanai reiterated Japan’s official line that Tokyo has not changed its policy on Taiwan. He also used strong language to criticize what he described as “extremely inappropriate statements” by China’s consul‑general in Osaka, Xue Jian, after that official posted a threat on the social‑media platform X (formerly Twitter) showing the head being cut off a Japanese flag. Tokyo called on China to take immediate disciplinary action.

Meanwhile, Beijing appeared to raise the stakes, issuing a travel warning to Chinese citizens, advising them against travelling to Japan. The advisory followed the cancellation of pre‑booked group tours by two Chinese state‑owned travel companies. The warning also led to a selloff in Japanese travel and retail stocks, as investors reacted to the potential impact on tourism.

Observers have noted that the lack of progress in Tuesday’s talks suggests that the row may continue. Japan has sought to stress continuity in its Taiwan policy, but China’s expression of dissatisfaction signals that it remains sensitive to any Japanese comments or actions it perceives as challenging the status quo.

The crisis comes amid rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait, which is already one of the most sensitive flash‑points in East Asia. Japan’s clear connection of its military’s potential involvement in a Taiwan Strait conflict is a major escalation, both symbolically and strategically. China interprets such comments as a direct affront to its ‘One China’ principle. Meanwhile, Japan’s stance reflects its rising anxieties about regional stability, particularly given China’s expanding military influence.

Even if leaders continue to talk, everyone can see that these two powerful nations are under immense strain. Taiwan is a hugely sensitive topic that could easily spark a wider global struggle. With so much at stake economically and in terms of security this disagreement is set to reshape how both countries see their place and influence in the region.