BEIJING (Dispatches) - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Friday said Japan must not hype up the so-called ‘China threat’ and undermine mutual trust and cooperation among countries in the region.
He made the remarks at a press briefing in response to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s remarks indicating that the situation in Ukraine could be replicated in East Asia.
‘’Japan is doing this to find excuses for its own military expansion and to undermine mutual trust and cooperation among regional countries, which is not conducive to peace and stability in the region and is destined to be unpopular. China is firmly opposed to Japan’s words and actions.”
“If Japan really wants peace and stability in East Asia, it should immediately stop provoking confrontation among leading powers and do more to promote mutual trust among regional countries and promote regional peace and stability,” he added.
The Taiwan question is entirely China’s internal affair and cannot be compared with the situation in Ukraine, Zhao said.
He said because Japan bears grave historical responsibilities to the Chinese people, the Japanese politicians should speak and act with extra prudence on the Taiwan question.
During his visit to the United Kingdom, Kishida said, “Collaboration among countries sharing universal values becomes ever more vital.”
“We must collaborate with our allies and like-minded countries, and never tolerate a unilateral attempt to change the status quo by the use of force in the Indo Pacific, especially in East Asia.”
“Ukraine may be East Asia tomorrow,” he added saying peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait must be maintained.
“Japan maintains its position to expect a peaceful resolution through dialogue to issues surrounding Taiwan. And the situation will be watched carefully from that perspective,” he added.
Japan along with the United States, Australia, and India have maintained a Quadrilateral Security Dialogue to counter China in the Indo-Pacific region.
Zhao added that China firmly safeguards its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and is willing to properly handle differences through negotiation and consultation with relevant countries.