China-Japan ties ‘may rest on trade alone’ after Tokyo human rights vote

Tokyo’s lower house motion expressing concerns about China’s record described as ‘wanton remarks’ by Beijing spokesman

Most of Japan’s ruling and opposition lawmakers voted in favour of the resolution, which follows months of tensions between the Asian neighbours

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Japan’s House of Representatives adopting a resolution on Tuesday expressing concern over human rights in China. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 12:31pm, 2 Feb 2022Updated: 4:28pm, 2 Feb 2022

Economic ties could be all that remain of China and Japan’s relations, after a cross-bench parliamentary resolution in Tokyo on China’s human rights record was condemned by Beijing as a “severe provocation”.

Observers said a focus on trade could maintain the peace between the two sides, but they saw little hope of an improvement in security issues.

China responded forcefully to Tuesday’s resolution in Japan’s lower house, which was supported by most of the country’s ruling and opposition lawmakers. The resolution expressed concern about the “serious human rights situation” in Xinjiang, Tibet, Inner Mongolia and Hong Kong, without directly naming China.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the resolution was “extremely vile in nature, as it disregards facts and truth”. He also said Japan had no authority to “make wanton remarks about other countries’ human rights conditions”.

“This is a severe political provocation against the Chinese people. The Chinese government and people are firmly resolved to defend national sovereignty, security and development interests,” he said, in a statement released late on Tuesday.

Zhao said foreign ministry officials had lodged solemn representations with their Japanese counterparts. “The Chinese side reserves the right to take further measures,” he added.