China delivered one of its strongest warnings to Japan in years after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Tokyo might respond militarily if China attacked Taiwan. Beijing accused Japan of blatant interference in China’s internal affairs and warned of serious consequences if the remarks are not withdrawn. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Japan was “playing with fire” and must stop making provocative statements that violate the one-China principle and long-standing bilateral agreements. He warned that China would hold Japan fully responsible for any fallout if Tokyo refuses to retract Takaichi’s comments.
Lin framed Japan’s statements as an infringement on China’s sovereignty, linking the issue to historical grievances and accusing Tokyo of reviving militarist thinking. He noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japanese aggression and the recovery of Taiwan, arguing that Japan should “repent” rather than issue threats. According to Lin, any Japanese military involvement in Taiwan would be treated as aggression, and China would exercise what it calls its right to self-defence.
The rhetoric has intensified tensions between the two countries. A post circulated via a CCTV-linked account called Takaichi a “troublemaker” who must “pay the price,” prompting backlash from Japanese lawmakers, some of whom demanded the expulsion of China’s Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, for inflammatory comments online. Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Tokyo would urge Beijing to act responsibly but declined to say whether diplomatic expulsions were under consideration.
