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China-Japan relations
ChinaDiplomacy

Beijing demands clarity from Japan on one-China principle as diplomatic row escalates

Foreign ministry and state media turn up the heat on Tokyo as countries continue to clash over Sanae Takaichi’s Taiwan comments

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (centre) has said she “didn’t intend to mention any specifics” about Taiwan when asked about her controversial comments that sparked a diplomatic row with Beijing. Photo: EPA
Vanessa Caiin Shanghai
Beijing intensified its pressure on Tokyo and demanded a clear declaration of its stance on the one-China principle as the two countries continued to clash on Wednesday over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan.

On Tuesday, the Japanese cabinet adopted a written response to a lawmaker’s question about Takaichi’s remarks, noting that they “do not change the government’s consistent position”.

Such statements were “far from enough”, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Wednesday.

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“What China and the international community want clarified is: what exactly is Japan’s so-called consistent position? Does Japan still adhere to the one-China principle?” Mao said, noting that Japan should “honestly, accurately and fully clarify” its stance.

“Attempting to gloss over details or evade substance by referring only to abstract concepts in order to deceive others will not work.”

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Takaichi on November 7 suggested that Japan could deploy its military forces in the event of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait. It was the first time a sitting Japanese leader had spoken so explicitly about how the country might react to a Taiwan contingency.

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