China warns Japan of “firm measures” over remarks on Taiwan

Tengrinews.kz – China has issued a sharp warning to Tokyo, saying it will have “no choice but to take further measures” if Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi does not retract her recent comments on Taiwan and “continues on the wrong path”, DW reports.

Speaking at a daily press briefing on 19 November, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Japan must take concrete steps to safeguard the “political foundation” of bilateral relations.

She stressed that Takaichi’s remarks caused “fundamental damage” to China–Japan relations. The ministry added that if Tokyo “continues to make mistakes,” Beijing will respond with “firm and resolute measures.”

Mao Ning also commented on China’s recently announced ban on imports of Japanese seafood.

“Under the current circumstances, Japanese seafood would not find a market even if exports to China remained open,” she said.

The warning comes amid growing tensions between the two countries following Takaichi’s statement in parliament on 7 November, in which she did not rule out a military response to a possible Chinese attack on Taiwan. Beijing reacted angrily and demanded that Japan abandon this position, later advising Chinese citizens to refrain from traveling to Japan.

Takaichi has refused to walk back her remarks, saying her stance “aligns with the government’s traditional position.” She has also indicated she is considering a review of Japan’s long-standing principles regarding the renunciation of nuclear weapons.