Japan’s former prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has warned China of tensions over Taiwan. Photo/Japan Times
Tensions over Taiwan have escalated when China’s President Xi Jinping seeks to assert its country’s claim to sovereignty over the democratically-ruled island. Taiwan’s government says it wants peace, but will defend itself if necessary.
Speaking virtually to a forum hosted by the Taiwan Institute for National Policy Research think tank, Abe noted that the Senkaku islands – what China calls the Diaoyu Islands – Sakishima islands and Yonaguni islands are only about 100 kilometers from Taiwan.
He stressed that an armed invasion of Taiwan would be a great danger to Japan.
Also read: Taiwan: China is trying to weaken us by sending repeated military missions
“Taiwan’s state of emergency is Japan’s emergency, and therefore a state of emergency for the Japan-US alliance. People in Beijing, especially President Xi Jinping, should never misunderstand this,” Abe was quoted as saying. CNN, Wednesday (01/12/2021).
Abe, who stepped down as prime minister last year, is head of the largest faction of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and remains an influential figure within the party.
On China-Japan relations going forward, Abe said Japan should advance its relations with China while firmly telling its giant neighbor what needs to be said, reiterating incumbent Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s remarks.
“Japan, Taiwan and all those who believe in democracy need to continue to urge President Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Chinese Communist Party repeatedly not to step down the wrong path,” Abe said.
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