Beijing ‍has strongly protested recent‍ statements made by ⁣Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan,‌ lodging ​a ​formal complaint during consultations ‍held today between‍ Chinese​ and ‍Japanese ‌foreign⁣ ministry officials.

According to ⁤chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning,Director-General ⁣Liu⁤ Jinsong of the Department of Asian Affairs met with Masaaki Kanai,Director-general of⁣ the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s Asian and⁤ Oceanian Affairs Bureau,in Beijing this morning. The meeting was ‌prompted by‍ Takaichi’s comments on the Taiwan issue.

During the⁣ consultations, China asserted that Takaichi’s⁣ remarks were a serious breach of international law and essential principles of international relations. Beijing contends the statements ⁣undermine the post-World War II ⁤international‍ order ⁤and ⁣directly contradict ⁤the ‍one-China principle,and also ⁤the spirit of the four‌ political​ documents ‌that underpin Sino-Japanese relations.

“These remarks fundamentally ⁤damage the political​ foundation ⁣of China-Japan relations, are of an extremely egregious⁣ nature⁤ and impact, ⁣and have aroused⁢ strong indignation and condemnation⁣ among the Chinese people,” Mao Ning stated.

China has issued a firm ‌demand for Japan‌ to retract‍ the ‌contentious⁣ statements, cease actions perceived as provocative concerning China, and demonstrate ​a commitment to repairing the damage done to the ​bilateral relationship through concrete actions.