Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warns that the future of China-Japan ties depends on Japan’s actions, urging Tokyo to reflect on history and uphold the one-China principle regarding Taiwan.
BEIJING: The future of China-Japan relations hinges entirely on the choices made by Japan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi declared on Sunday.
Wang made the remarks at a press conference held on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress.
He stated that 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, should have been a year for Japan to profoundly repent for its erroneous historical path.
Wang specifically criticised Japan’s brutal invasion and colonial rule of Taiwan as part of that history.
He noted that the incumbent leader of Japan had even claimed a Taiwan contingency would constitute a “survival-threatening situation” justifying the exercise of a so-called right of collective self-defence.
“We hope the Japanese people will keep their eyes wide open and never allow anyone foolish enough to tread the same disastrous path today,” said Wang.
He added that a strong China with 1.4 billion people will never allow anyone to justify colonialism or reverse history’s verdict on aggression.
Wang Yi further stated that no individual or force will be allowed to separate Taiwan from China.
He described resolving the Taiwan question and realising China’s complete reunification as an unstoppable historic process.
Taiwan has been an integral part of China since ancient times, and “never was, is not, and never will be a country,” Wang asserted.
The minister identified the Democratic Progressive Party authorities’ obstinate pursuit of a separatist agenda as the root cause undermining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Noting the one-China principle has overwhelming support internationally, Wang said the firmer the global community stands against “Taiwan independence,” the more assured cross-strait peace will be.