Why the strong Japan reaction? Meet China's diplomacy of 'struggle for peace'

Editor's note: Chen Guifang is a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

It all began on November 7 when Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated in the Diet that a "Taiwan contingency" involving force could create a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, enabling it to exercise collective self-defense.

Despite receiving an immediate formal demarche from Beijing, Takaichi, a hard-right conservative, has reportedly refused twice to retract her provocative remarks on the Taiwan question, the core of China's interests.

In response, China has launched a series of strong countermeasures, including stern warnings from its Ministries of Foreign Affairs and National Defense, the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, and travel and study alerts for its citizens. Additionally, news reports indicate that Beijing has informed Tokyo it will suspend imports of Japanese seafood.

Some Japanese politicians accused China of "overreacting," and others even mistakenly or deliberately suggested Beijing's response was a coordinated escalation. To clarify: it is neither an overreaction nor an escalation.

To truly understand China's response to the Japanese provocation, one must grasp the fundamental and longstanding principle of its foreign policy: "secure peace through struggle" (yi dou zheng qiu he ping).

In this context, "struggle" does not mean advocating for conflict, but rather an assertive and principled defense of core national interests, an approach regarded as the most effective way to achieve lasting peace and stability.

The underlying logic is that only by demonstrating a challenge will be met with a determined and costly struggle (dou zheng) can the challenger effectively be deterred, thereby maintaining peace (he ping).

This Chinese philosophy is actually a strategic application of deterrence theory and crisis prevention, both centuries-old staples of international relations. Beijing is effectively drawing red lines over its core interests to establish clear behavioral boundaries for Tokyo.

For this logic to work fairly, these core interests must be clearly defined and universally understood, a task China has consistently undertaken. From the very first day of diplomatic relations, Beijing has made clear its long-held, unwavering position on Taiwan: Taiwan is part of China, and the Taiwan question is purely China's domestic affairs that brook no external interference.

Furthermore, the red lines China is establishing for Japan mainly concern the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity – principles embedded in the Charter of the United Nations – as well as the post-World War II international order. Defending these boundaries is not just about protecting China's own interests; it's about upholding the universal international rules that all nations must abide by.

Remaining silent in the face of the Japanese prime minister's provocative remarks would send a deeply wrong message to Tokyo and the international community, suggesting that China's core interests can be violated without repercussions. If history is any indication, such a strategic misjudgment is often among the biggest risks that lead to conflict.

Through clear and firm countermeasures, China is essentially saying: "Stop! Do not cross this line." This is similar to traffic rules. Without traffic lights and stop lines, an intersection naturally falls into chaos, leading to more accidents.

Overall, China's drawing of red lines is like installing essential traffic signals at the complex intersection of China-Japan relations, which are key to regional and global stability, helping prevent a head-on collision.

While China follows the principle of "securing peace through struggle," Beijing's diplomacy also emphasizes "struggle without breaking" (dou er bu po) the relationship.

As a country that places great importance on neighboring diplomacy, China has no reason to harm its relationship with its neighbor. However, the ball is now in Japan's court – or rather, in Takaichi's – to repair the fragile China-Japan relations.