BEIJING (AP) – Chinese Foreign Minister โWang Yi accused โJapanese Prime Minister โฃSanae Takaichi of “crossed โฃa red line” after she indicated Japan might defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack, state media reported Tuesday. Wang’s strong rebuke signals escalating tensions betweenโ the โtwo โnations over the self-governing island, which China claims as its own.
Takaichi’s remarksโข represent a departure fromโข the traditionally cautiousโ language employed by Japanese leaders regarding Taiwan. While previous โadministrations have expressed concern over China’s military pressure, Takaichi publicly contemplated a direct Japanese response, a โposition โฃthat Beijing views as a dangerousโ interference inโ its internal affairs. The exchange underscoresโ the โคgrowing geopolitical risks surrounding Taiwan and the potential for conflict in โthe region, notably as china โฃincreases military drills near the island.
Wang delivered his criticism during aโ meetingโ with his Japanese โคcounterpart, Yoko Kamikawa, on โthe sidelines of โthe Association of Southeast Asianโ Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers’ โขmeeting โคin Jakarta. He warned that Japan’s comments severely damaged trust between the two countries and demanded a clarification.
Takaichi had previously stated that Japan โwould notโค rule outโ any options to defend Taiwan,a position โseen as โคmore assertive than previous administrations. She later clarified she would refrain from โคdiscussing specific scenarios, butโข the initial comments drewโฃ immediate condemnation from Beijing. China objects to any foreign involvement in Taiwan,โข viewing it as a purely domestic matterโข and a core โnational interest.
Japan, along with the United States and other Asian allies, hasโข grown increasingly concerned about China’s military activities near Taiwan. The U.S. remains Taiwan’s โคprimary weapons supplier, โaโ fact that China consistently protests.โฃ The situation is further complicatedโค by โขongoing Chinese military drillsโ and heightened rhetoric, raising fears of miscalculationโค and escalation.
