The Japan-China Friendship Association on Monday issued a statement strongly protesting Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent erroneous remarks on China's Taiwan region, demanding the Japanese leader to withdraw her words.
In its protest statement, the Tokyo-based association solemnly stressed that the Taiwan question is China's internal affair. It said Takaichi's references to a so-called "survival-threatening situation" constituted interference in China's internal affairs, violated the spirit of the China-Japan Joint Statement signed in 1972, and ran counter to the one-China principle.
"Back in 1972, when Japan and China normalized diplomatic relations, documents such as the China-Japan Joint Statement clearly stated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China, and the government of Japan fully understands and respects this position of the government of the People's Republic of China. The one-China principle has been an important consensus between Japan and China since the normalization of ties. The latest remarks by Takaichi has the potential to undermine this consensus, incite tension in Japan-China relations, and damage the political foundation of bilateral ties. Therefore, I believe these are extremely dangerous, provocative remarks," said Inoue Hisashi, president of the Japan-China Friendship Association.
The association said in its statement that the Japanese government has been hyping up the so-called "Taiwan contingency", repeatedly playing up the so-called China threat", and advancing large-scale military expansion.
In recent years, the association noted, political parties promoting discrimination and exclusivism have gained ground in Japan, frequently advocating constitutional revision.
Takaichi's remarks, it said, will only further embolden such dangerous forces.
The statement emphasized that the root cause of the current tensions and escalating situation between Japan and China lies in Takaichi's erroneous remarks.
The Japan–China Friendship Association again urged Takaichi to retract her statements in their entirety.
"If we go back to the starting point of this issue, the current situation originated precisely when Takaichi uttered those remarks in the Diet. Therefore, we strongly demand that she withdraw this statement. This is something she must do. I believe Takaichi should reflect on her words and actions and adjust her course accordingly," Hisashi said.
Japan-China Friendship Association denounces Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, said on Monday that the relationship between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) stands at a new historical starting point.
Xi arrived in the DPRK capital of Pyongyang earlier on Monday to begin a two-day state visit at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, marking his first trip to the country in seven years.
Delivering a speech at a welcome banquet hosted by Kim, Xi pointed out that China and the DPRK, linked by mountains and rivers and sharing a common future, have seen their traditional friendship passed down across generations and grow ever stronger over time through the test of the evolving international landscape.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, and the China-DPRK relationship stands at a new historical starting point, Xi said, noting that he has reached important consensus with Kim during his visit.
From the strategic perspective of the future and destiny of socialism, both leaders have agreed to seize the general trend of the times, respond to the shared aspirations of the two peoples, strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen strategic communication, expand practical cooperation, enhance people-to-people bonds, promote the high-level development of China-DPRK relations, jointly open up brighter prospects for the socialist cause of both countries, and contribute to the continuous progress of human society, Xi said.
The successful convening of the Ninth Congress of the WPK this year has made strategic plans and major arrangements for the long-term development of the Party and the country's cause, ushering in a new period of comprehensive development of the DPRK's socialist cause, Xi said.
As good neighbors, good friends and good comrades, the Chinese side sincerely wishes that, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the WPK headed by General Secretary Kim, the DPRK people will successfully accomplish the goals and tasks set by the Ninth Congress of the WPK and make constant new achievements in the socialist cause of the DPRK, Xi said.
On behalf of the WPK, the government and the people of the DPRK, Kim extended the warmest welcome to Xi on his visit. Kim said that Pyongyang was filled with an atmosphere of friendship on this special day as the DPRK's Party, government and people warmly welcomed their most distinguished guest.
Noting that Xi's first overseas trip of the year had brought him to the DPRK, Kim said this fully demonstrated the great importance Xi attached to developing relations between the two parties and the two countries, and constituted the most valuable support for the DPRK's socialist cause.
Noting the meeting with Xi came nine months after their previous meeting, Kim said that during this meeting, they reached important consensus on further advancing DPRK-China relations with new contemporary connotations in light of new changing circumstances, and exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, which will surely accelerate the development of the DPRK-China friendship with profound historical traditions, and contribute to peace and stability in the region and the world.
The DPRK people take heartfelt joy in the remarkable achievements made by the brotherly Chinese people, Kim said, expressing belief that under the leadership of the CPC with Xi at its core, the great Chinese people will surely create greater achievements in building a great modern socialist country in all respects, realizing the Second Centenary Goal, and completing the new journey toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Xi says China-DPRK ties stand at new historical starting point
