CGTN poll: Respondents call on Japan to give a complete and accurate explanation of 'no change to the position' regarding Taiwan

On December 4, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian stated that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi merely reiterated "the Japanese government's basic position regarding Taiwan remains as stated in the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, and there has been no change to this position," and nothing more. The "no change to the position" is far from adequate and is certainly unacceptable as a response to China. 

A recent survey conducted by CGTN among global netizens shows that 91.4 percent of respondents criticize Japan for repeatedly responding in a hollow and contradictory manner – its words inconsistent with its deeds – on issues including its stance on Taiwan, its "exclusively defense-oriented" strategy and the motivations behind its military actions. They call upon Japan to earnestly fulfill its obligations as a defeated nation and deliver on its commitments to China and the international community with concrete actions.

The immediate cause of the serious differences between China and Japan at present is the Japanese prime minister's irresponsible allegation that a "Taiwan contingency" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, implying that Japan would militarily intervene in the Taiwan question. While claiming to adhere to the so-called "consistent position" on Taiwan, the Japanese side has continued to evade the question and has yet to give a direct answer. In the survey, 91.6 percent of the respondents believe that Japan should provide the international community with a complete and accurate explanation of its "consistent position" on the Taiwan question.

The international legal instruments such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender have long ago confirmed China's sovereignty over Taiwan, Japan's obligation to return the stolen territories, including Taiwan, to China and the principles for post-war arrangements concerning Japan. These documents form an integral part of the post-war international order. The 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement explicitly states that "the Government of Japan recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China" and that "the Government of the People's Republic of China reiterates that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China. The Government of Japan fully understands and respects this stand of the Government of the People's Republic of China, and it firmly maintains its stand under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation." Such a position has since been explicitly reaffirmed by the Japanese government in a series of treaties and statements between the two countries. In the survey, 90.7 percent of the respondents believe that Japan should consistently adhere to this position on the Taiwan question.

Japan claims to a "passive defense strategy, which is exclusively defense-oriented." However, the Japanese side linked its "survival-threatening situation" with a "Taiwan contingency," implying the use of force against China. This clearly goes beyond its claim of "passive defense strategy" that is "exclusively defense-oriented." In the survey, 83.4 percent of respondents criticize Japan's self-contradictory behavior, viewing it as a blatant act of deception and provocation against the international community. Additionally, the UN Charter stipulates that all members shall refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. In the poll, 90.7 percent believe Japan's implied threat of military action against China violates the provisions of the UN Charter.

Japan claims that it will not initiate a war. However, for years, Japan has continuously and significantly revised its security policies, increasing its defense budget for 13 consecutive years; Japan has revised the longstanding "three principles on arms exports," and begun exporting lethal weapons; and it's even attempting to alter the "three non-nuclear principles," thereby paving the way for the introduction of nuclear weapons. In the survey, 91.7 percent of the respondents express profound disappointment and anger over Japan's series of self-contradictory words and deeds. Another 87.7 percent of the respondents note Japan's plans to deploy offensive weapons on the Southwest Islands adjacent to China's Taiwan, considering this a further act of blatant provocation following the erroneous remarks made by the Japanese Prime Minister. Additionally, 87.1 percent of the respondents strongly condemn Japan for deliberately creating regional tensions and inciting military confrontation.

The CGTN poll – published in English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian – received responses from 10243 people within 24 hours.