China Warns Japan Over Taiwan Remarks, Urges Citizens to Avoid Travel Amid Growing Diplomatic Spat
China has issued a sharp warning to Japan after recent comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about Taiwan, escalating an already tense diplomatic standoff between the two countries. Beijing cautioned that any Japanese military involvement in a Taiwan conflict would face a “crushing defeat,” and later advised Chinese citizens to avoid travelling to Japan due to rising frictions.
The dispute intensified after Takaichi said in parliament last week that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could constitute a “survival-threatening situation,” potentially triggering a military response from Tokyo. Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own, immediately condemned the remarks.
The situation worsened when China’s Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, reposted a news article about the comments and added a message on social media that said, “the dirty neck that sticks itself in must be cut off.” The post was later deleted, but the language prompted Tokyo to summon China’s ambassador, calling the statement “extremely inappropriate.”
In response, Beijing summoned Japan’s ambassador to China on Thursday, the first such move in more than two years to lodge its own formal protest. Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin said Takaichi’s remarks were “irresponsible and dangerous,” warning that Japan would “pay a heavy price” if it interfered in the Taiwan issue.
Japan’s government has emphasized that it seeks a peaceful resolution to cross-strait tensions and criticized the tone of Chinese statements. While some Japanese political figures demanded that Xue be expelled, Tokyo has so far limited its actions to diplomatic protests.
China’s foreign ministry also voiced “serious concerns” over what it described as Japan’s shifting security posture, including ambiguity around its non-nuclear principles and discussions about acquiring nuclear-powered submarines.
Late Friday, Beijing urged Chinese nationals to avoid traveling to Japan “in the near future,” citing deteriorating ties and “significant risks.” Reports from Japanese broadcaster NTV said the Chinese embassy in Tokyo had also instructed its staff to limit outings due to fears of rising anti-China sentiment.
Chinese state media added fuel to the dispute with a series of commentaries criticizing Takaichi and accusing Japan’s political right wing of trying to revive militarism. A People’s Daily commentary argued that Japan has been “racing headlong down the path of military buildup,” citing visits to the Yasukuni Shrine and historical disputes as ongoing sources of tension.
The dispute unfolds amid China’s increasing efforts to pressure what it calls “diehard Taiwan independence forces.” Beijing this week criticized Taiwanese lawmaker Puma Shen and issued wanted notices for two Taiwanese online influencers, offering rewards for information. Taiwan dismissed the notices, noting that China has no legal authority over the island.
