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Diaoyu Islands
ChinaDiplomacy

China warns Japan over meddling in its territorial issues, especially Taiwan

  • Tokyo meanwhile lodges protest over Chinese activities in waters near disputed islets in East China Sea
  • Officials traded accusations but also agreed to boost communication during maritime talks on Monday

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An assault amphibious vehicle seen during a Japan Self-Defence Forces drill in November. Beijing claims Japanese joint military drills with the US and others in the East and South China seas undermine regional security. Photo: Bloomberg
Shi Jiangtao
Chinese and Japanese officials have traded accusations during virtual talks, but they also agreed to improve communication – including by speeding up efforts to set up a defence hotline – amid rising tensions.
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Beijing warned Tokyo against meddling in Chinese territorial matters, especially over Taiwan, during Monday’s meeting on maritime issues between foreign affairs, defence, energy and fisheries officials from the two sides.

Claiming Japanese joint military drills with the United States and others in the East and South China seas undermined air and maritime security in the region, Beijing also “made representations on Japan’s wrong words and deeds on the Taiwan Strait”, according to the Chinese foreign ministry readout.

It coincided with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a speech on Monday, accusing the US and other countries of trying to “use the Taiwan question to contain China” by seeking closer ties with the island. Beijing sees self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory to be brought under its control, by force if necessary.
Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe warned in early December that Tokyo and Washington could not stand by if Beijing attacked Taiwan. Beijing reacted furiously, summoning Japanese ambassador Hideo Tarumi for a dressing-down over Abe’s “brazen support” for Taiwan’s independent forces.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday accused the US and other countries of trying to “use the Taiwan question to contain China”. Photo: Reuters
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday accused the US and other countries of trying to “use the Taiwan question to contain China”. Photo: Reuters
Tokyo officials also lodged a protest at Monday’s talks, saying Chinese ships had made repeated intrusions into Japan’s waters around the Senkaku Islands, Japanese news agency Jiji Press reported. The uninhabited islets in the East China Sea are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China, where they are known as the Diaoyu Islands.
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