China escalates protest against Japanese lawmakers over Taiwan visits

Yesterday 11:20

By: Dakir Madiha

China escalates protest against Japanese lawmakers over Taiwan visits

China has intensified its diplomatic protests after several members of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) traveled to Taiwan, deepening one of the most severe rifts between Beijing and Tokyo in recent years.

Beijing’s formal complaint

The Chinese foreign ministry issued a strong objection following the visit of Koichi Hagiuda, a senior LDP official and ally of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Hagiuda completed a three-day trip to Taiwan, where he met President Lai Ching-te and other senior officials. China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian condemned the move, urging Japan to “acknowledge its mistake” and adhere to the One China principle.

The official protest follows comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in November suggesting that any Chinese attack on Taiwan could represent an existential threat to Japan’s security. The statement triggered an escalating series of retaliatory measures from Beijing, including trade pressures, travel advisories, and public denunciations of Tokyo’s stance.

Continuing visits despite pressure

Despite Beijing’s warnings, visits by Japanese lawmakers to Taiwan are set to continue. Taiwan’s foreign ministry announced that roughly 30 Japanese legislators plan to visit before early next year. Among them are former Foreign Minister Taro Kono and a delegation led by Hirofumi Takinami, who also met with Taiwan’s leadership this week.

For China, these trips represent a direct challenge to its sovereignty claims over Taiwan, which it considers a breakaway province to be reunited with the mainland. The 1972 Japan-China Joint Communiqué established formal diplomatic relations between the two nations, with Tokyo recognizing the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, while only “understanding and respecting” Beijing’s position on Taiwan.

Demand for retraction and diplomatic fallout

Beijing continues to demand that Prime Minister Takaichi retract her earlier remarks, calling them “provocative and dangerous.” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that Japan had “crossed a red line,” while Chinese and Russian officials jointly condemned what they described as a revival of “Japanese militarism.”

Although Japan’s foreign ministry reaffirmed its commitment to the 1972 communiqué, Beijing accuses Tokyo of adopting a deliberately ambiguous position. Analysts warn the confrontation could permanently alter diplomatic and economic relations between the two major Asian powers, pushing Japan to accelerate efforts to reduce its dependence on China.