Tokyo, November 21 (TASR) – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Friday that she wants “constructive” ties with China, and that Tokyo’s stance on Taiwan remains “unchanged.” TASR informs about it according to the report of the AFP agency.
- The Japanese Prime Minister supports constructive relations with China.
- Tokyo has not changed its position regarding Taiwan.
- Beijing reacted disapprovingly to the Prime Minister’s statement about Taiwan.
- Diplomats of both countries met to ease tensions.
- China has suspended imports of seafood from Japan.
“At the end of last month, (Chinese) President Xi Jinping and I confirmed the general direction of comprehensively strengthening our strategic, mutually beneficial relations and building constructive and stable relations,” Takaichi told reporters on Friday.
“The government’s position remains unchanged,” she added regarding Taiwan.
In early November, Takaichi told the Japanese parliament that China’s armed attacks on Taiwan could prompt Japan to militarily support the island. However, Taiwan is claimed by China, which considers this island as its breakaway province and reacted indignantly to the statements of the Japanese Prime Minister.
A series of reactions followed, with Beijing summoning the Japanese ambassador last week and protesting against the prime minister’s remarks. At the same time, China advised its citizens not to travel to Japan. This was followed by a similar warning from Tokyo for Japanese citizens to avoid large crowds and exercise caution in China. In response, Beijing pledged to “protect the safety of foreigners” in China.
In an effort to calm the situation, Japan’s Foreign Ministry’s top official for Asia-Pacific affairs, Masaaki Kanai, met with his Chinese counterpart Liu Jinsung in Beijing on Tuesday. During the negotiations, China again reiterated its strong disapproval of the Prime Minister’s comments.
Beijing also suspended the import of seafood from Japan a few days ago. There are therefore concerns about the impact the dispute between these two countries will have on one of the world’s largest economies – Japan.
Beijing repeatedly declares – and does not rule out the use of force – that one day it will dominate Taiwan. China considers Taiwan part of its territory, despite the fact that the island has had an independent government since 1949.
Although Japan does not recognize Taiwan as an independent state, it maintains unofficial relations with it.
The Japanese Prime Minister later said that her statement did not represent the unified position of the Japanese government, but her personal opinion on the possible worst-case scenario of developments around Taiwan.
4 20 linen zsl
