Beijing has urged its citizens to avoid their East Asian neighbor after Japan took action on Monday to quell an intensifying dispute with China over Taiwan, reports BSS.
The conflict started when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi informed Japanese lawmakers earlier this month that a military response could be triggered in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan endangering Japan’s survival. Previous administrations have refrained from publicly discussing this possibility in order to avoid upsetting Beijing, which claims the self-ruled island.
According to Japanese media on Monday, Masaaki Kanai, the director general of the Japan Foreign Ministry’s Asia and Oceania department, will meet with Liu Jinsong, his Chinese counterpart, in Beijing this week. According to them, Kanai is anticipated to clarify that Takaichi’s remark does not indicate a change in Japan’s security strategy and call on China to abstain from acts that worsen relations.
Taiwan is located close to crucial sea routes Tokyo depends on for the transportation of gas and oil, barely over 110 kilometers (68 miles) from Japan’s westernmost islands. Additionally, Japan is home to the greatest concentration of US military might outside of the US.
“Various channels of communication are open,” Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary said at a regular press briefing when asked about Kanai’s reported China visit.
China’s travel warning, he added, “is incompatible with the broad direction of promoting a strategic, mutually beneficial relationship. We have made a firm request for the Chinese side to take appropriate steps.”
Takaichi may get a chance to speak directly to China’s Premier Li Qiang later this week, with both expected to attend the Group of 20 summit in South Africa from Friday.
Speaking to reporters in New Taipei on Monday, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said China was carrying out a “multifaceted attack” on Japan.
“I call on the international community to continue paying close attention and I also urge China to exercise restraint and demonstrate the conduct befitting a major power, rather than becoming a troublemaker for regional peace and stability,” he said.
