Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaishi's perfunctory response that Japan's "position on Taiwan remains unchanged" is not acceptable for China, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.
According to reports, Takaishi said on Wednesday at a plenary session of Japan's House of Councillors that "the fundamental position of the Japanese government regarding Taiwan remains unchanged from that stated in the 1972 Japan-China joint communique," saying that Japan "understands and respects" the Chinese government's position that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China."
In response to queries regarding the reports, Lin pointed out that the report is inaccurate and that Takaishi didn't make a direct statement that Taiwan is part of China.
"It has been verified that the report is inaccurate. Takaichi merely stated Japan's basic position on the Taiwan question stays the same as set out in the 1972 China-Japan Joint communique -- and that this position has not changed. That was all," he said.
"China's position is clear: We urge the Japanese side to sincerely reflect on and address its wrongdoings and retract Takaichi's erroneous remarks. Faced with a principle clearly recorded in historical documents and explicitly written in black and white, and with China's repeated inquiries as well as criticism from within Japan and the international community, Takaichi continues to brush things off with nothing more than 'our position has not changed.' China cannot accept this," he said.
"If Takaichi claims that Japan's basic position on the Taiwan question remains as stated in the 1972 China-Japan Joint Communique, then can she accurately and fully restate what that statement says? Why does the Japanese side deliberately refuse to specify its existing commitments and legal obligations? What is the logic and intention behind this? Japan owes both China and the international community an explanation," he said.
China firmly rejects Japanese PM's perfunctory response of 'no change in Taiwan-related position': spokesperson
