Foreign Minister Wang Yi says China won't allow resurgence of Japanese militarism
發佈日期: 2025-11-23 23:28
TVB News
Amid heightened tensions between China and Japan, Premier Li Qiang and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reportedly did not interact with each other at the G20 summit venue in South Africa.
Prior to the commencement of the G20 summit, Premier Li Qiang shook hands with multiple leaders upon entering the venue.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived after proceedings had begun.
Three heads of state stood between Li and Takaichi when posing for a group photo and no exchange was observed between the two before they departed separately.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who has just wrapped up his tour in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, said in a media interview that it was shocking for Japan's leader to openly send such wrongful signal regarding Taiwan and stressed Beijing won't allow the resurgence of Japanese militarism.
Wang, so far the most senior Chinese official to comment publicly on the issue, stressed China will never permit right-wing forces in Japan to turn back the wheel of history, nor will it tolerate external forces to lay hands on the Taiwan region.
Meanwhile, Chi Hsing, publisher of The Observer, from Taiwan, said in an interview that Takaichi's remarks had indeed "crossed the line" and infringed on China's core interests.
She brought up Japan's occupation and colonial rule of the island that lasted for half a century and stated it bears a grave historical responsibility of the Taiwan question.
"Takaichi has not made any apoligies yet," Chi said, as she urged people to stand together with the nation and view the issue correctly.
The ensuing spat has already spread to tourism.
A number of Chinese cruise operators have altered routes to bypass Japanese ports and head to South Korea instead.
A Reuters report says one Chinese cruise ship operating the Japan-Korea route has adjusted its December itinerary, avoiding scheduled stops at Japanese ports including Fukuoka and Nagasaki, in favour of sailing directly to Jeju.
Multiple Chinese airlines have reduced flights to Japan.
China Civil Aviation Network indicated at least nine carriers, including China Eastern Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, and Spring Airlines, have cut over 70 weekly flights to Japan.
Japanese defence chief Shinjiro Koizumi inspected Self-Defence Forces facilities on Miyako and Ishigaki islands, marking his first visit to Okinawa Prefecture since taking office.
It is reported that Koizumi met with local officials and sought understanding for the strengthening of defences of the southwestern islands, in light of the intensifying security challenges around Japan.
