China has urged Japan to correct its strategic perception of China and stop instigating and creating bloc confrontation, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.
Lin made the remarks in response to a media query regarding the Japanese government's 2025 Diplomatic Bluebook, which was released earlier Tuesday. The bluebook categorizes China-Japan ties as one of the country's most important bilateral relationships, while simultaneously labeling China as the biggest strategic challenge.
"We have taken note of the relevant situation. The latest edition of Japan's diplomatic bluebook follows its cliché of accusations and smears against China, plays up the so-called 'China threat' and unreasonably interfere in China's internal affairs. China firmly opposes such claims. China and Japan are each other's important neighbors. A healthy and stable bilateral relationship serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples. We urge Japan to observe the principles set out in the four China-Japan political documents, correct its strategic perception of China, stop instigating and creating bloc confrontation, and translate its words into concrete actions on comprehensively advancing the strategic relationship of mutual benefit, and on building a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship fit for the new era," said Lin.
Japan should correct perception of China, stop instigating bloc confrontation: spokesman
Japan should correct perception of China, stop instigating bloc confrontation: spokesman
The series of erroneous words and actions by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi not only seriously deviate from the spirit of pacifist Constitution of the country but also further exacerbate regional tensions, said Tomoko Tamura, a member of the House of Representatives.
In an exclusive interview with China Central Television (CCTV), Tamura criticized Takaichi for straining Japan-China relations by making erroneous remarks on Taiwan, calling on her to improve bilateral relations.
Tamura pointed out that the political consensus reached during the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries remains of great significance, and Japan should respect and abide by it as the basis for repairing and rebuilding friendly relations with China.
"The erroneous remarks by Sanae Takaichi this time have led to the deterioration of China-Japan relations. This is absolutely unacceptable and must be retracted. Regarding the relations between two sides, the consensus reached during the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1972 is of utmost importance. At that time, the Chinese government asserted that Taiwan is part of China and the Japanese government fully understood and respected this stance. Now we should reaffirm this consensus, as well as the crucial agreements reached by both countries after 1972. Japan should explicitly acknowledge these significant agreements to rebuild friendly relations with China," she said.
Tamura also pointed out that in recent years, Japan has attempted to reshape its security policy, boosting defense spending, easing arms-export restrictions, pursuing offensive weapons development, and clearly deviating from the fundamental principle of "exclusively defense-oriented" policy.
"Japan's possession of long-range missiles clearly exceeded the scope of 'exclusively defense-oriented' policies. Japan is accelerating its military expansion. From the perspective of the Japanese constitution, this is absolutely not allowed. We are deeply concerned about the current Takaichi administration's disregard for the Japanese constitution. We clearly demand that Japan should adhere to the position of resolving issues through diplomatic efforts," she said.
Japanese official criticizes Takaichi's erroneous remarks
