Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian.Picture: flipping Haike News
Russia has been condemned by the world for its aggression against Ukraine. China, Russia’s ally, has never given up on attacking Taiwan by force. The international community is concerned about the situation on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently talked about the importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait, worrying about “Ukraine today, East Asia tomorrow”. In this regard, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian responded when asked about relevant questions at the regular press conference of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 6th, Japan’s hyping up the China threat theory has historical culpability on the Taiwan issue and is not qualified to make irresponsible remarks.
Zhao Lijian said that the cooperation between countries should be conducive to promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity, and should not target third parties and harm the interests of third parties. He criticized Japan’s frequent use of diplomatic activities to “entrain smuggled goods”, talk about China, exaggerate regional tensions, and hype up the “China threat theory.” Japan’s approach is to find an excuse for its own expansion of arms and a strong military, undermining the mutual trust and cooperation of regional countries, detrimental to regional peace and stability, and destined to be unpopular.
Zhao Lijian said with anger that China firmly opposes Japan’s words and deeds, Taiwan is an “inseparable part” of China, and the Taiwan issue is “completely China’s internal affairs” and cannot be compared with the Ukraine issue. He also criticized Japan’s “historical guilt toward the Chinese people” on the Taiwan issue, and should be more cautious in words and deeds, and is completely unqualified to “make irresponsible remarks.”
On the issue of sea power, Zhao Lijian declared that China firmly safeguards territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and is willing to properly handle differences with relevant countries through negotiation and consultation, so as to maintain regional peace and tranquility. If Japan really wants peace and stability in East Asia, it should immediately stop provoking confrontation between major powers and do more things that are conducive to enhancing mutual trust among regional countries and promoting regional peace and stability.
Fumio Kishida, who was visiting the United Kingdom, held a press conference in London on the 5th, stressing that Japan continues to pay attention to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait, which is not only important to Japan, but also related to the stability of the international situation. Regarding the Taiwan issue, Japan’s consistent position is to expect a peaceful solution. He also stated that the use of force to change the status quo is absolutely unacceptable in the Indo-Pacific, especially in East Asia.
Fumio Kishida pointed out that because of the sense of crisis that “today’s Ukraine may be tomorrow’s East Asia”, he changed Japan’s policy towards Russia and took firm measures such as sanctions against Russia in coordination with the Group of Seven (G7) to let the international community know about Russia There will be a high price to pay for atrocities. During a meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Fumio Kishida also mentioned that he is strongly concerned about unilateral changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, rapid but opaque military construction activities and economic coercion.