China sharply escalated its criticism of Japan on Sunday (Nov 23), with Foreign Minister Wang Yi describing it as “shocking” for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to openly send what he called a dangerous and “wrong signal” regarding Taiwan. The remarks, carried in an official statement published on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website, mark Beijing’s strongest public intervention in a dispute that has roiled bilateral ties for more than two weeks.
Wang, the most senior Chinese official to address the matter so far, accused Japan of “crossing a red line that must not be touched” after Takaichi suggested earlier this month that Tokyo could consider a military response if China were to attack Taiwan. During a parliamentary session on Nov 7, Takaichi told a lawmaker that a hypothetical Chinese assault on the self-governed island could obligate Japan—under its security laws and its treaty with the United States—to contemplate military action.
Beijing, which views Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory, has reacted with fury. Wang accused Takaichi of attempting to “intervene militarily” in what China considers an internal matter and warned that Japan’s posture risked triggering consequences. “China must resolutely hit back—not only to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also to defend the hard-won postwar achievements secured with blood and sacrifice,” Wang said.
The foreign minister went further, warning that if Tokyo “persists in its wrong course and continues down this path,” the international community should “re-examine Japan’s historical crimes” and prevent any “resurgence of Japanese militarism.” Beijing frequently invokes Japan’s wartime past in moments of diplomatic tension, but Wang’s framing underscored the volatility of the current standoff—one of the most serious clashes between the two Asian powers in years.
The dispute has already spilled into economic and cultural spheres. On Friday, China brought the issue before UN Secretary-General António Guterres, asserting its right to defend itself and accusing Japan of destabilizing the region. The move drew an immediate rebuttal from Tokyo. Japan’s foreign ministry on Saturday dismissed China’s allegations as “entirely unacceptable,” insisting that Japan’s commitment to peace remains unchanged and that its remarks about Taiwan were consistent with its security policies.
Speaking to reporters in Johannesburg, where she attended the G20 leaders’ summit, Takaichi avoided direct reference to China’s latest criticism or its letter to the UN. But she emphasized that Tokyo was not seeking confrontation. “We are not closing the door,” she said. “But it’s important for Japan to state clearly what needs to be said.” She added that she had not held any conversations with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during the summit.
Taiwan, which rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and insists only its 23 million people can determine their future, also entered the fray. In a statement Sunday, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry condemned China’s UN letter, calling it “rude and unreasonable” and accusing Beijing of “maliciously distorting historical facts.” The ministry said the letter violated Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force in international relations—a provision Taipei frequently cites in response to China’s military pressure.
The diplomatic clash comes at a sensitive moment for the region, where strategic competition among major powers is intensifying. Japan has in recent years expanded its security cooperation with the United States and other partners, citing growing threats from China’s military assertiveness. Tokyo’s concerns over Taiwan’s security have become more explicit, though Japanese leaders have traditionally avoided making direct statements about possible military involvement.
The stakes extend beyond geopolitics. China is Japan’s largest export market after the United States, importing roughly US$125 billion worth of Japanese goods in 2024, according to UN COMTRADE data. Industrial equipment, semiconductors, and automobiles dominate the trade relationship, making stability critical for both economies. As tensions rise, analysts warn that prolonged confrontation could carry significant economic consequences.
