Officials, scholars reaffirm one-China principle, warn of regional instability

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Officials, scholars reaffirm one-China principle, warn of regional instability

2026-01-04 15:54 Last Updated At：01-05 13:27

International figures from Africa and Europe have criticized what they described as erroneous remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, stressing that there is only one China and cautioning that such statements could heighten regional tensions and undermine international stability.

Officials and experts said the comments reflect dangerous tendencies toward militarization and interference in China's internal affairs, particularly on the Taiwan question, which they emphasized is not open to debate.

Zodwa Lallie, acting deputy director-general in charge of China-South Africa relations at South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, reaffirmed South Africa's long-standing stance.

"South Africa is unequivocal, it is an adherent of the one China policy. There is but one China, and that one China is indivisible, so it's not a question for us. It's a given," she said.

Nigerian scholar Efem Ubi, Director of Studies at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, said remarks related to Taiwan by Japanese leaders were inappropriate and risk destabilizing the region.

"I'd like to say the remarks by the Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi is not justified. Any issue that revolves around Taiwan, it's a Chinese issue. It's an internal issue. Every country, you know, should stay away from interfering or intervening in the internal affairs of China. The remarks by the Japanese Prime Minister will end up creating tension, more tension, create more problems, it is also pushing the Japanese to militarize within the region. And that will create a security dilemma within Asia Pacific," said the professor.

Willy Meyer Pleite, former Member of the European Parliament, warned that such rhetoric carries broader international risks.

"I believe these erroneous remarks not only pose a regional threat to China and the Korean Peninsula, but also constitute a real threat to the stability of the overall international situation. Japan's peace constitution was originally meant to serve as a safeguard for peace and disarmament, but the erroneous remarks made by Sanae Takaichi have seriously undermined the international order," he said.

ROK to draw more Chinese tourists through new promotions: official

The Republic of Korea (ROK) is planning to roll out new promotions in the coming months to cater to the growing number of Chinese visitors, an official with the ROK Tourism Organization said on Monday.

Two-way tourism between China and the ROK has significantly benefited from policy support by both countries in recent years.

The number of visitors from the ROK surged after China introduced visa-free entry for ROK passport holders in November 2024, with Shanghai and its neighboring cities becoming top destinations. At the end of September 2025, the ROK implemented a temporary visa-free policy for Chinese tour groups lasting nine months as a positive response to China's unilateral visa exemption for ROK visitors.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Shanghai, Lee Yong, director of the ROK Tourism Organization's Shanghai Office, offered her insights into the growing exchange between the two countries.

"As of the end of November 2025, some 5.09 million Chinese tourists had visited the Republic of Korea, reaching about 92 percent of the pre-pandemic 2019 level. Meanwhile, flying to Shanghai after work on Fridays has become a growing trend among young Koreans," she said.

From January to September of 2025, the ROK was Shanghai's top source of international visitors, with the number of trips to the city reaching over 620,000, an increase of 121 percent year on year.

ROK President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Shanghai on Tuesday as part of a state visit to China from January 4 to 7. According to Lee Yong, the Korean travel industry is eager to see closer ties and cooperation between the countries, especially ahead of the Spring Festival, a major holiday for both China and the ROK.

"Overall, President Lee Jae Myung's visit to China is expected to help rebuild bilateral trust, strengthen exchanges, and further boost Chinese travel demand to Korea. During the nine-day Spring Festival holiday from February 15 to 23, 2026, Chinese tourist arrivals are likely to increase. In response, the Korea Tourism Organization plans to launch promotional activities under the 'Spring Festival All-Korea Pass' in the first quarter of 2026 to accommodate this anticipated surge in travel," she said.