Chinese media attacks Japanese PM for remarks on Taiwan

The diplomatic dispute between China and Japan over Taiwan continues to escalate. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament last week that a possible Chinese attack on Taiwan could pose a "situation threatening Japan's survival" and hinted at a possible military response.

China responded to those words with a formal protest, and Consul Xue Jian of Osaka published a threatening comment that Japan called "extremely inappropriate" and protested against Beijing.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Takaichi has declared that she will not use similar language again, and Tokyo has called for reciprocal steps to ease tensions. Nevertheless, China's state broadcaster CCTV described the Japanese premier's remarks as "extremely malicious" and "crossing the line" in relation to China. There have also been personal attacks against Takaichi on social media.

Meanwhile, there are growing calls in Japan for the expulsion of Chinese diplomat Xue, especially if Beijing does not show a willingness to address the situation. The opposition and some ruling party leaders have also joined the initiative.

China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, which the Taiwanese Government rejects. The island lies just over a hundred kilometres from Japanese territory. The Japanese Foreign Ministry has not yet officially reacted to the whole matter.

(reuters, sie)