Monday, November 17, 2025
Sunday, November 16, 2025
Friday, November 14, 2025
GT: People's Daily: 'Zhong Sheng' Commentary: Absolutely won't tolerate Sanae Takaichi's cross-line provocation on Taiwan question. 1q2-11-2025
People's Daily ‘Zhong Sheng’ commentary: Absolutely won’t tolerate Sanae Takaichi's cross-line provocation on Taiwan question
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raises her hand to answer a question during a session of the House of Councillors Budget Committee at the National Diet in Tokyo, Japan on November 12, 2025. Photo: VCG
Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi blatantly claimed at the Diet that a "Taiwan emergency" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, implying the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Straits. This is a blatant interference in China's internal affairs, a betrayal of the one-China principle, and a flagrant challenge to the post-World War II international order.
Insightful individuals in both China and Japan have pointed out that Takaichi's statement marks the first time since Japan's defeat in 1945 that a Japanese leader has formally claimed that "a Taiwan contingency" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan and link this to the exercise of right to collective self-defense, the first time a Japanese leader has expressed ambitions to attempt armed intervention on the Taiwan question, and the first time a Japanese leader has issued a military threat against China. Its intentions are extremely sinister, its nature extremely egregious, and its consequences extremely serious. The Chinese government and the Chinese people are strongly indignant about this and resolutely oppose it.
Since modern times, Japanese militarism has engaged in rampant aggression and expansion abroad, committing countless crimes against China. In 1895, Japan forcibly annexed Taiwan through the Treaty of Shimonoseki, implementing a 50-year colonial rule, ruthlessly suppressing Taiwan compatriots' resistance, plundering massive resources, and causing severe damages to Taiwan's economy, culture, and livelihoods.
In 1945, after 14 years of arduous and bloody struggle, the Chinese people achieved a great victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Japan signed the instrument of surrender, and formally accepted international legal documents that stipulated Taiwan's restoration to the motherland such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. China recovered Taiwan and resumed its sovereignty over the island. This was a glorious chapter in the Chinese nation's defense of national unity and an important part of the post-World War II international order.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration. The international community has long reached a broad consensus on adhering to the one-China principle. As a defeated nation, Japan should deeply reflect on its historical crimes, honor the commitments it made to China and the international community, and take concrete actions to fully respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
However, Takaichi has attempted to link China's Taiwan region to Japan's so-called "security interests," in an attempt to provide a pretext for Japanese military intervention in the Taiwan question, exposing Japan's sinister plot and ambition for military involvement in the Taiwan Straits.
This not only sends a gravely wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces but also severely violates the core content of the one-China principle in the China-Japan Joint Statement, as well as the fourth political document between China and Japan, which affirmed their commitment that the two sides are cooperative partners and do not pose a threat to each other. It has seriously undermined the political foundation of China-Japan relations.
Takaichi's fallacies about Taiwan are by no means isolated political nonsense; behind them lies the obsession and arrogance of Japan's right-wing forces in breaking through the constraints of the pacifist constitution and seeking the status of a "military power."
In recent years, Japan has been rapidly accelerating its militarization, continuously undercutting its pacifist constitution, completely abandoning the principle of "exclusively defensive defense," and attempting to abandon the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles." Against this backdrop, Takaichi's linking of "Taiwan emergency" with collective self-defense is a pretext for Japan's military expansion, carrying dangerous signs of a resurgence of militarism. From her frequent visits to the Yasukuni Shrine to her denial of the Nanjing Massacre, and her persistent promotion of the "China Threat" theory, Takaichi's every step follows in the old footsteps of historical crimes, seeking to reverse the verdict on Japan's history aggression and revive militarism.
Throughout history, Japanese militarism has frequently used the so-called ""survival-threatening situation" as a pretext for launching foreign aggression, including brazenly creating the September 18 Incident under the pretext of "exercising the right of self-defense" and provoking the war of aggression against China. Today, by bringing up similar rhetoric, is Japan attempting to repeat its historical mistakes?
The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the reunification of China are unstoppable historical trends. The Chinese government and people are resolute in safeguarding the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Taiwan question is the core of China's core interests, and anyone who dares to touch this red line will not be tolerated by the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people or the entire Chinese nation!
We once again solemnly warn the Japanese side that if it should dare to meddle in the cross-Straits situation, it would be an act of aggression and definitely meet a firm response from China. The Japanese side must immediately correct its provocative and cross-line words and deeds, retract its egregious statements, and cease its dangerous and reckless actions in the military and security fields; otherwise, it will bear full responsibility for the consequences.
Eighty years ago, the Chinese people defeated Japanese militarist aggression. Today, the Chinese nation has the firm will, full confidence, and sufficient capability to defeat any form of "Taiwan independence" separatist schemes and external interference. Those who play with fire will end up burning themselves badly. Any force attempting to obstruct China's reunification will be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot; it will face resolute countermeasures and complete failure.
The article was originally published on page 3 of the People's Daily on November 14, 2025.
GT: Japanese side must not misjudge the stern warning issued by China; 10-11-2025
Japanese side must not misjudge the stern warning issued by China: Global Times editorial
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends the House of Representatives Budget Committee and responds to questions at the Diet building in Tokyo on November 10, 2025. Photo: VCG
On Thursday evening, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, upon instruction, summoned the Japanese ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi, making serious démarches over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks regarding China. This was a highly unusual diplomatic action, and the severity of the warning it conveyed is unprecedented. Tokyo should harbor no illusions.Looking back at Chinese diplomacy, the term "summoned upon instruction" is extremely rare, and its seriousness and authority are extraordinary. This was not a routine communication, but a high-level and stern warning. Tokyo must have a clear understanding of this and must not attempt to just muddle through. It should immediately reflect, correct its mistakes, and retract the malicious remarks.
Takaichi's remarks regarding the island of Taiwan are extremely egregious. As the sitting Japanese prime minister, she openly challenged the one-China principle, seriously infringed upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and deliberately undermined the post-World War II (WWII) international order. This not only crossed the bottom line of China-Japan relations, but also subverted historical justice and undermined the global environment for peace and development.
The Taiwan question is the core of China's core interests and the cornerstone of the political foundation of China-Japan relations. Without this foundation, the entire structure of bilateral relations will be shaken to its core.
China's summoning of the Japanese ambassador this time is not only just a warning directed at Takaichi's personal remarks, but also a stern one against the long-standing malicious deeds of Japanese right-wing forces, including inciting anti-China sentiment, damaging China-Japan relations, and systematically undermining Japan's path of peaceful development. Tokyo's response must involve concrete actions to draw a clear line, including a public reaffirmation of the one-China principle by the Japanese government and the complete withdrawal of statements regarding military involvement.
It takes more than one cold day for the river to freeze three feet deep. Takaichi's wrongful and provocative remarks are not an isolated incident; they are the latest proof of the dangerous trend of right-leaning politics and populism within Japan. Recent reports indicate that Japan is considering reinstating certain pre-WWII Imperial Japanese Army ranks in the Self-Defense Forces. When we consider Takaichi's Taiwan-related remarks in conjunction with various right-wing and populist regressive moves inside Japan, a dangerous picture comes into sharp focus.
Some Japanese politicians are stoking xenophobic sentiment at home and fabricating external "enemies" abroad, attempting to artificially construct a sense of "survival-threatening situation," thereby freeing Japan completely from the "constraints" of the pacifist constitution and restoring its status as a political and military power. Hidden behind this is the dangerous revival of militarist thinking. These various acts of turning back the wheel of history are essentially aligned with Japan's wrongful perceptions and provocative moves on the Taiwan question. They will not only seriously hurt the feelings of the peoples of countries victimized by Japan's past aggression, but also heighten regional countries' vigilance and unease regarding Japan's development trajectory.
Of course, we have also noticed that there is no shortage of rational and sober voices within Japan. Former prime ministers Yukio Hatoyama, Yoshihiko Noda and Shigeru Ishiba, some opposition parties, as well as certain Japanese media and scholars have questioned or criticized Takaichi's words and deeds, believing that her statements undermine China-Japan relations and harm Japan's national interests. In stark contrast, Japan's online sphere has, to a large extent, been hijacked by right-wing agitation and anti-China sentiment, where hostility and malice toward China continue to grow. This exposes the Japanese government's dual responsibility.
On the one hand, the Japanese government must first correct its own understanding, honor the commitments made in the four China-Japan political documents through concrete actions, and return to the correct policy direction toward China. On the other hand, the Japanese government has the responsibility and obligation to properly guide irrational domestic opinion, rather than allow itself to be held hostage by extreme populism, and certainly not indulge or exploit anti-China sentiment for short-term political gain, which would ultimately undermine Japan's long-term national interests.
Meanwhile, China's summoning of the Japanese ambassador also sends a clear signal to the international community. We have noticed that certain Western media outlets have once again played a disgraceful role in this incident. They irresponsibly and one-sidedly hyped up "deteriorating" China-Japan relations, portraying China's legitimate and justified diplomatic response as "wolf warrior diplomacy." Such reporting does nothing to clarify the facts and may instead encourage provocative behavior by Japanese right-wing forces, which is extremely irresponsible.
China-Japan relations currently stand at a crucial crossroads. China has no room for compromise or concession on the Taiwan question. No one should underestimate the strong resolve, firm will, and powerful capability of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. We urge Japan to pull back from the brink, abide by the principles set out in the four China-Japan political documents, and truly put into practice the political consensus of being "partners, not threats" to each other, rather than saying one thing and doing another, and certainly not "playing with fire" on the Taiwan question. Those who play with fire will only get burned.
Thursday, November 13, 2025
GT: Attention to Takaichi''s erroneous and actions should not lose focus: EDITORIAL: 13th Nov. 2025
Attention to Takaichi’s erroneous words and actions should not lose focus: Global Times editorial
Illustration: Liu Rui/GT
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi a few days ago claimed in a Diet debate that if warships were used or other armed actions are involved in the Taiwan Straits, it could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan. The absurdity, heinous nature, and malicious intent behind her remarks have shocked the international community. This is not only a blatant trampling of international justice and an open provocation against the postwar international order, but it also constitutes serious damage to China-Japan relations. These erroneous statements have already impacted bilateral relations and regional peace, and are the root cause of the recent deterioration in bilateral relations. The truth is crystal clear.
However, the evolving situation of the past two days indicates that some forces are attempting to shift the focus, downplay the severity of Takaichi's remarks, and place the blame for the deterioration of China-Japan relations on China. The most typical example is the hype surrounding statements made by a Chinese diplomat in Japan and the reactions of Chinese public opinion. These voices did not mention the extreme danger of Takaichi's remarks. Instead, they turn their guns on China, claiming that it should not have "overreacted." Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi even inexplicably demanded that China take into consideration "the broad direction of Japan-China relations." This is a complete distortion of the facts and a case of blaming the victim, further confirming that the lack of postwar reflection within Japan is systemic. Meanwhile, some Western media outlets are also echoing this sentiment, sensationalizing the so-called "China responsibility theory" to escalate the dispute.
This rhetoric reduces a major dispute concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Japan's path of development, and the postwar international order, to a trivial debate about whether certain "expressions" were appropriate.
What Takaichi's fallacies have provoked is not a "war of words" between China and Japan, but rather exposed three fundamental questions: First, will Japan continue to follow the path of peaceful development, or attempt to repeat the mistakes of history? Second, will Japan safeguard the broader framework of China-Japan peace, friendship, and cooperation, or push bilateral relations toward confrontation and conflict? Third, will Japan act as a defender of regional peace and stability, or drag East Asia into the abyss of war? It is clearly Tokyo that must provide serious explanations to China and the international community regarding these three major questions.
In its history, Japan has repeatedly launched wars of aggression in the name of "national survival." During the "September 18 Incident" in 1931, for instance, Japan claimed that "Manchuria and Mongolia are the lifeline of Japan." When attacking Pearl Harbor, it promoted the idea that "the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere is a battle for Japan's survival." Such deceptive slogans were systematically used by Japan's military, government and media to create a false sense of existential crisis - "Japan will perish if it does not expand" - thus concealing its imperialist ambitions. Today, Takaichi's attempt to link China's internal affairs with a so-called "survival-threatening situation" in Japan is nothing more than a revival of that same deceit. It reveals the dangerous intentions of certain Japanese political forces to exploit the Taiwan question as a pretext to break free from the constraints of the Peace Constitution and return to military expansion.
Taiwan belongs to China. How the Taiwan question is resolved and how national reunification is achieved are matters solely for the Chinese people. Should Japan attempt to intervene militarily in the Taiwan Straits, it will face grave consequences.
As Japan's prime minister, Takaichi's repeated release of wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces is not only a blatant interference in China's internal affairs but also an act of binding Japan once again to the chariot of geopolitical confrontation, threatening peace and security in East Asia. All peace-loving people around the world should remain highly vigilant about this.
Therefore, regardless of how some forces employ "smoke and mirrors," discussions about the issue must return to and focus on its essence: the profound impact and real threat of Takaichi's statements on Japan's future direction, China-Japan relations, and peace and stability in East Asia. Those who attempt to play with "wording" are deliberately obscuring fundamental issues: Who is the provocateur? Who is the victim? Takaichi's remarks are the "cause," while China's response is the "effect." Whether this round of disputes between China and Japan escalates ultimately depends on whether the Japanese side can immediately correct and retract its offensive statements. The international community should not lose focus on this issue; rather, it should collectively urge Japan to ease the situation. Indulging and appeasing provocateurs will inevitably lead to more arrogant provocations, pushing China-Japan relations and the regional situation toward a more dangerous abyss.
The claim of a "survival-threatening situation" by certain forces in Japan is strikingly similar to the excuses used by Japanese militarism during its previous aggressive wars of invasion. However, times have changed. If Japan seeks to employ the same tactics again, not only will the Chinese people not accept it, but it will also receive no support in the region. Those who truly need to take into consideration "the broad direction of Japan-China relations" are some radical forces within Japan. They must immediately correct their erroneous words and actions. If they continue to "play with fire" on the Taiwan question, the outcome will be tragic, and Tokyo will bear full responsibility.GT:
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)