China's 'head-on blow' warning to Japan after PM Takaichi's Taiwan remark

China issued one of its strongest warnings yet after Japan PM's Taiwan comments, saying any challenge to its sovereignty will face a "firm blow" and be "shattered against the great wall of steel"

China warned Japan not to "play with fire" after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested that the country could take military action if China attacked Taiwan. Giving one of its strongest warnings, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said anyone who challenges China’s bottom line "will face a firm, direct blow and be shattered against the great wall of steel".

 

At a press conference on November 14, Jian said, "China values peace and honesty. But when it comes to China’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and core interests, there will be no compromise."

 

Noting that no one should expect China to accept anything that harms its interests, he said, "Whoever dares to challenge China’s bottom line will face a resolute, head-on blow and be shattered against the great wall of steel forged by over 1.4 billion Chinese people."

Why was Japan’s ambassador summoned?

When asked why Japan’s ambassador in Beijing was summoned, Jian said that the main reason was the "extremely wrong, dangerous, and provocative remarks by Takaichi about Taiwan, and her refusal to take them back." 

 

He noted that Takaichi's comments seriously interfere in China’s internal affairs, break international law and basic diplomatic rules, damage the post-WWII order, violate the one-China principle and the four China-Japan political documents, weaken the foundation of China-Japan relations, and hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.

‘Japan didn’t rule out possessing nuclear submarines’

Jian added that China is very worried about Japan’s military and security actions. “Japan says it loves peace and wants a world without nuclear weapons, but the Takaichi administration has been giving unclear statements about the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and hinting that Japan might drop them. Some senior Japanese officials even said Japan has not ruled out having nuclear submarines. These show that Japan is making a major negative shift in policy, which sends a dangerous signal to the world.”

China accuses Japan of targeting its diplomats

When asked whether the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo had told its staff to stay indoors, Jian said, "It is irresponsible for some Japanese politicians and media to twist the issue to mislead the public and distract from the real problem. There have been extreme and threatening comments targeting Chinese diplomats from Japanese right-wing groups and internet users."

 

He further added, "China is very concerned and asks Japan to take this seriously, investigate the matter, and stop such behaviour. We again urge Japan to face the real cause of the issue, correct and withdraw the wrong remarks at once, and stop confusing right and wrong or blaming China."  ALSO READ | How a single remark on Taiwan by Japan has reignited tensions with China

China urges US to follow one-China principle

China also criticised the US for approving arms sales to Taiwan. Jian said, “The US arms sale to Taiwan seriously breaks the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, especially the August 17 Communiqué of 1982. It harms China’s sovereignty and security, breaks international law, and sends a dangerous message to forces pushing for ‘Taiwan independence’. China strongly opposes this.”

 

He added, “The Taiwan issue is at the centre of China’s core interests and is the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations. We urge the US to follow the one-China principle and the three joint communiqués, keep its leaders’ promises on Taiwan, stop supporting separatists who want Taiwan independence through military means, and take real steps that help China-US relations and peace in the Taiwan Strait. China will do whatever is necessary to firmly protect its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.”