Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks in parliament about a ‘Taiwan contingency’ have sparked a backlash from China. On the 21st, she commented, “At the end of last month, I and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed our commitment to promoting a strategic, mutually beneficial relationship and to building a constructive and stable bilateral relationship. That overall direction has not changed,” adding that the government’s position regarding a ‘situation involving a threat to national survival’ has also remained unchanged.
According to Asahi Shimbun and Kyodo News, regarding the contents of that day’s questioning, Takaichi said in an interview at the Prime Minister’s Office: “What kind of situation constitutes (a national survival crisis), the government will make its judgment by comprehensively considering the facts of the actual situation and individual specific circumstances, along with all relevant information.” She emphasized, “The government’s position is consistent.”
As for whether she would withdraw her response, Takaichi did not address the question.
Asked if arrangements were being made for a meeting with Chinese State Council Premier Li Qiang during the G20 Summit in South Africa, Takaichi only said, “Bilateral talks are being coordinated according to proposals from participating countries.”