‘Crushing military defeat’: China issues chilling warning to Japan after PM Takaichi’s Taiwan comment, urges citizens to…

Tensions between China and Taiwan have been steadily escalating in recent years, reflecting longstanding political, military, and strategic complexities in the region. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense detected 21 sorties of Chinese military aircraft and three naval vessels operating around its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time) on Friday. According to the MND, of the 21 aircraft, 18 crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ. Meanwhile, on Friday, China’s Ministry of Defense stated that if Japan attempts military intervention in Taiwan, it would certainly face a ‘crushing’ military defeat by the Chinese military.

What did China warn Japan about after PM Takaichi’s Taiwan comments?

The statement comes amidst increasing rhetoric around comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about Taiwan. On Friday, Tokyo summoned Beijing’s ambassador to Japan regarding an online post about PM Takaichi made by a senior Chinese diplomat. The situation continues to deepen the tit-for-tat dispute that has arisen over the past week.

When did PM Takaichi make her controversial remarks on Taiwan?

Takaichi ignited a diplomatic dispute with Beijing after she made a statement in the Japanese parliament last week that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could create a “survival-threatening situation” and prompt a military reaction from Tokyo.

Why has this row escalated tensions between China and Japan?

The issue became more contentious on Saturday, when Xue Jian, China’s consul general in Osaka, shared a news article on X regarding Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan, along with a note stating, “the dirty neck that sticks itself in must be cut off.” The post was later deleted, but not before drawing harsh condemnation from Japanese lawmakers and further raising tensions in diplomatic relations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan called in the Ambassador of China to Japan to protest what they called “highly inappropriate” statements offered by the Chinese diplomat Xue. While some senior Japanese politicians have called for Xue to be expelled, however, Tokyo has only asked Beijing to take “appropriate measures” without elaboration. The spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense of China, Jiang Bin, called Takaichi’s comments extremely irresponsible and dangerous.

In a statement, Jiang stated, “Should the Japanese side fail to draw lessons from history and dare to take a risk, or even use force to interfere in the Taiwan question, it will only suffer a crushing defeat against the steel-willed People’s Liberation Army and pay a heavy price,” as reported by Reuters.

In the meantime, Japan’s ambassador in China has been summoned by China’s Foreign Ministry to express a “strong protest” over Takaichi’s comments. This marks the first time in more than two years that Beijing has summoned a Japanese ambassador. The previous occasion occurred in August 2023, when the former ambassador was summoned over Japan’s decision to discharge treated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean.

In the meantime, Japan’s ambassador to China has been summoned by China’s Foreign Ministry to express a “strong protest” over Takaichi’s comments. This marks the first time in more than two years that Beijing has summoned a Japanese ambassador. The previous occasion occurred in August 2023, when the former ambassador was summoned over Japan’s decision to discharge treated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

1. Japan’s ambassador in China has been summoned by China’s Foreign Ministry to express a “strong protest” over Takaichi’s comments
2. China also announced a travel warning advising its citizens not to visit Japan, claiming that the “blatantly provocative remarks” made by the Japanese Prime Minister regarding Taiwan.
3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan called in the Ambassador of China to Japan to protest what they called “highly inappropriate” statements.
4. The spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense of China, Jiang Bin, called Takaichi’s comments extremely irresponsible and dangerous.

On Friday, China also announced a travel warning advising its citizens not to visit Japan, claiming that the “blatantly provocative remarks” made by the Japanese Prime Minister regarding Taiwan constitute a “significant risks to the personal safety and lives of Chinese citizens residing in Japan”, as reported by South China Morning Post.