China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, has written to UN Secretary-General António Guterres to clarify the Chinese government's position regarding erroneous statements and actions by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi concerning China. The letter will be distributed to all member states as an official document of the United Nations General Assembly.
In the letter, Fu Cong stated that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had made openly provocative comments regarding Taiwan during a parliamentary debate. This marks the first time since Japan's defeat in 1945 that a Japanese leader has, in an official setting, advocated the so-called notion that “an issue with Taiwan is an issue for Japan” and linked it to the exercise of collective self-defense; the first time ambitions for armed intervention in the Taiwan question have been expressed; and the first time a threat of military force has been made against China, openly challenging China’s core interests. These remarks are extremely wrong, highly dangerous, and of exceedingly bad nature and impact. Despite multiple solemn representations and strong protests from China, the Japanese side has refused to repent or withdraw the erroneous remarks. China is deeply dissatisfied and strongly opposes this.
● Urges Japan to Retract Erroneous Statements
Fu Cong stressed in the letter that Sanae Takaichi’s remarks seriously violate international law and fundamental norms governing international relations, severely undermine the postwar international order, and constitute a blatant provocation not only to the over 1.4 billion Chinese people but also to the people of Asian countries that once suffered from Japanese aggression. Taiwan is sacred territory of China; how the Taiwan question is resolved is solely China’s internal affair and does not permit any foreign interference. Should Japan dare to intervene militarily in the Taiwan Strait situation, this would constitute an act of aggression; China would resolutely exercise its right of self-defense under the UN Charter and international law, and firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. As a defeated nation in World War II, Japan must deeply reflect on its historical culpability, strictly adhere to the political commitments made regarding the Taiwan issue, immediately cease its provocations and transgressions, and retract its erroneous statements.
Analysis suggests Takaichi’s refusal to withdraw remarks on Taiwan is related to the U.S. Senate’s unanimous passage of the “Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act” on November 18, as well as two U.S. arms sales to Taiwan announced within one week by the Department of Defense.