Key Facts
• Japan-China relations strained over Prime Minister Takai’s Taiwan-related remarks.
• Meeting held on November 18 between Japan’s Kanai and China’s Liu Jinsong.
• China criticized Japan, calling the remarks “extremely malicious.”
• Chinese officials stated the remarks “provoked public anger and condemnation.”
• China urged Japan to “acknowledge and correct its mistake” through actions.
• China’s Liu Jinsong expressed dissatisfaction, describing the meeting as “tense.”
• Chinese Foreign Ministry reiterated demands for retraction post-meeting.
Summary
Tensions between Japan and China escalated following Japanese Prime Minister Takai’s remarks on Taiwan, which China deemed harmful to bilateral relations. On November 18, Japan’s Kanai met with China’s Liu Jinsong in Beijing, where China criticized the remarks as “extremely malicious” and demanded their retraction. Chinese officials emphasized the remarks had incited public anger and urged Japan to take corrective actions. Post-meeting, Liu Jinsong expressed dissatisfaction, describing the discussions as tense. The Chinese Foreign Ministry reiterated its stance, calling for Japan to uphold the political foundation of bilateral ties.
