Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on China's Taiwan is drawing criticism worldwide, with experts warning that her action has violated international law, provoked instability, and undermined decades of diplomatic consensus.
Among the critics is Italian legal scholar Fabio Marcelli, who warned that Takaichi’s statements not only defy Japan’s historical stance but also endanger the very foundations of international peace and law.
"Takaichi's erroneous statements are disturbing and extremely dangerous. More broadly, they threaten the UN Charter system based on peaceful coexistence among states. Takaichi's wrong remarks run counter to Japan's past positions and are deeply concerning. They are completely unacceptable. On one hand, they violate international law. On the other hand, they go against the shared aspiration for peace held by everyone, including the Japanese people," said Marcelli, director of the Institute for International Legal Studies at Italy’s National Research Council.
South African Member of Parliament Tshilidzi Bethuel Munyai condemned Takaichi’s remarks as a deliberate provocation, warning they run counter to the principles of peace and multilateralism upheld by his country’s leadership.
"We know the intentions are not for peace, it is [an] act of provocation and creating instability. So as the ANC (African National Congress) and members of Parliament from the Republic of South Africa, we subscribe to multilateralism, we subscribe to peace," said Munyai.
Additionally, analysts from Africa and Europe said that Takaichi’s remarks not only undermine the long-standing diplomatic framework between China and Japan but also risk reigniting historical tensions in the region.
"Her remarks are not only provocative -- they mark a jarring departure from the legal-political framework underpinning bilateral relations for over half a century. She is openly contradicting the one-China principle, a widely recognized consensus," said Mubali, a Tanzanian media professional.
"First, Japan needs to adopt a demilitarized policy, meaning it should maintain friendly relations externally, because this aligns with Japan's fundamental interests. Japan must regard China as an important trading partner. It must also maintain peaceful ties with South Korea and Southeast Asian countries, avoiding a repetition of past historical mistakes," said Fernando Moragón, Spanish geopolitics expert.
Global experts warn Japanese PM’s remarks undermine regional peace
Global experts warn Japanese PM’s remarks undermine regional peace
Global experts warn Japanese PM’s remarks undermine regional peace
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that mediation efforts of the Pakistani side regarding the Middle East tensions are in the common interests of all parties.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in his talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing.
During their talks, the two sides exchanged views on current international issues and regional conflicts.
Wang welcomed the visit of the Pakistani side to Beijing for discussion on easing tensions in the Middle East, just after its holding of a quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Islamabad.
He said China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing a unique and important role in easing the situation and resuming peace talks. This process is no easy task, and Pakistan's mediation efforts are in line with the common interests of all parties, Wang added.
He noted China is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to end the hostilities as soon as possible, create opportunities for peace and open the window for peace talks.
On bilateral ties, Wang said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, calling on both sides to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and constantly advance the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
For his part, Dar said the Pakistan-China friendship is precious and deeply rooted in people's hearts, adding that Pakistan is willing to work with China to promote the continuous development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
Dar thanked China for supporting Pakistan's mediation of the situation in Iran, adding that the current conflict has disrupted international energy supplies and caused heavy damage to developing countries.
Noting that solutions can only be found through negotiation, Dar said Pakistan is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to push all parties to start peace talks as soon as possible and restore regional peace.
The two sides also put forward a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East region:
I. Immediate cessation of hostilities: China and Pakistan call for immediate cessation of hostilities and utmost efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to all war-affected areas.
II. Start of peace talks as soon as possible. Sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and security of Iran and the Gulf states should be safeguarded. Dialogue and diplomacy is the only viable option to resolve conflicts. China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks.
III. Security of nonmilitary targets. The principle of protecting civilians in military conflict should be observed. China and Pakistan call on parties to the conflict to immediately stop attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets, and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law, and stop attacking important infrastructure, including energy, desalination and power facilities, and peaceful nuclear infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants.
IV. Security of shipping lanes. The Strait of Hormuz, together with its adjacent waters, is an important global shipping route for goods and energy. China and Pakistan call on the parties to protect the security of ships and crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, allow the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible.
V. Primacy of the United Nations Charter. China and Pakistan call for efforts to practice true multilateralism, to jointly strengthen the primacy of the United Nations, and to support the conclusion of an agreement for establishing a comprehensive peace framework and realizing lasting peace based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
