China lodges stern protests with Japan over its wrongful actions, remarks on Taiwan

China on Saturday lodged stern representations and strong protests with Japan over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's wrongful comments and actions concerning China's Taiwan region during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Week.

The Japanese leader deliberately met with personnel from the authorities of China's Taiwan region during the APEC Economic Leaders' Week on October 31 and November 1, and hyped it on social media, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement, adding that those actions "severely violated the one-China principle, the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, and basic norms of international relations, and sent a gravely wrong signal to the 'Taiwan independence' forces."

"Those actions are egregious in nature and impact. China expresses its firm opposition and has made serious démarches and protests to Japan," the spokesperson said.

"The Taiwan question is China's internal affair and at the core of China's core interests. How it is handled bears on the political foundation of China-Japan relations and basic trust in Japan, and is a red line that must not be crossed," the spokesperson noted.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration.

"Given its long history of colonial rule over Taiwan, Japan bears undeniable historical responsibilities on the Taiwan question and therefore should act with extra prudence."

"China strongly urges Japan to abide by the spirit of the four political documents between the two countries and honor the commitments Japan has made, reflect on and address its wrongdoings, take concrete measures to undo the negative impact, stop interfering in China's internal affairs, and act on its statement of building a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship fit for the new era," the spokesperson said.