In a show of support for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's 'Taiwan contingency' remarks, Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te, after previously calling on people on the island to buy Japanese goods, further proposed that 'if tourists from mainland China aren't traveling to Japan, we will go,' urging Taiwan's tourism industry to quickly organize groups to travel to Japan. This has sparked dissatisfaction among Taiwan's local tourism and retail sectors.
On the 26th, during a regular press conference, spokesman Peng Qing'en of China's Taiwan Affairs Office harshly criticized Lai Ching-te, saying he 'feeds on flattery to Japan, and engages in acts that betray Taiwan; his words and deeds are nauseating.'
Peng Qing'en stated that Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan crudely interfered in China's internal affairs, seriously violated international law and basic norms of international relations, seriously undermined the post-war international order, seriously violated the one-China principle and the spirit of the four China-Japan political documents, and gravely hurt the feelings of the Chinese people. The Japanese side should immediately reflect and correct the mistake and retract the erroneous remarks concerning Taiwan. Lai Ching-te feeds on flattery to Japan and engages in acts that betray Taiwan; his words and deeds are nauseating. We sternly warn Lai Ching-te's administration that all reliance on external forces will only bring humiliation upon themselves. Any traitor who betrays the nation will inevitably face just judgment.
Regarding Taiwan's full lifting of import restrictions on Japanese food, spokesperson Peng Qing'en said that resolving the Taiwan issue is a matter for Chinese people themselves and foreign forces have no right to interfere. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has openly issued provocative statements on the Taiwan issue, crossing an untouchable red line and bottom line, arousing strong indignation among compatriots on both sides of the Strait. The broad masses of Taiwan compatriots are within their rights to solemnly protest and demand that Sanae Takaichi immediately retract and publicly apologize, an act of justice.
Peng Qing'en pointed out that Japan bears historical responsibility to the Chinese people on the Taiwan issue. After the First Sino-Japanese War, Japan forcibly occupied Taiwan and imposed 50 years of colonial rule, during which countless crimes were committed in Taiwan. History cannot be rewritten, the achievements must be defended, and justice must prevail. Compatriots on both sides of the Strait must uphold national righteousness and firmly oppose all 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities and foreign interference. Any external force that dares to provoke will only lead to their own destruction.
Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai explained in the Legislative Yuan on the 25th that Lai Ching-te's original intent was to encourage people that 'if traveling, just choose to visit Japan more,' as well as to encourage people to participate in domestic tourism consumption. He said the authorities will roll out a number of incentives for domestic tourism next March, including weekday accommodation, birthday accommodation, amusement park stays, and company employee travel rewards.
After mainland China once again suspended imports of Japanese seafood last week, Lai Ching-te previously posted photos on social media of himself enjoying Japanese cuisine, specifically noting dishes featuring amberjack from Kagoshima and scallops from Hokkaido. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized: No matter how Lai Ching-te puts on a show or performs, it cannot change the fact that Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory.