In collusion they scheme, their own downfall they'll reap

Editor's note: Gong Rong, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is an observer on  international affairs, focusing on Asia-Pacific region. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi openly made erroneous remarks regarding Taiwan, implying a potential military intervention in the Taiwan Straits and brazenly interfering in China's internal affairs. In addition, Japan deployed missiles in sensitive areas merely about 110 kilometers from Taiwan — a move that amounts to concrete support for "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

The Lai Ching-te authorities immediately took the cue, convening a so-called "high-level national security meeting" in which they hyped up the "threat" from the Chinese mainland, with himself posting photos of Japanese cuisine to promote the "Taiwan-Japan friendship." Such fawning and servile behavior lays bare their attempt to curry favor with Japan at Taiwan's own expense. 

In essence, the Japanese right wing is exploiting "Taiwan independence" to expand its military footprint, while the separatist forces in Taiwan are willingly acting as pawns. The collusion between the two sides, a scheme driven by motives that are truly reprehensible, is pushing the Taiwan Straits toward a dangerous brink.

Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan were by no means a slip of the tongue. Rather they lay bare her entrenched right-wing stance and underlying political agenda. Over the years, she has repeatedly peddled the notion that "a Taiwan contingency is a contingency for Japan," and consistently engaged with "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

Her track record on Taiwan is fraught with provocations: she made multiple visits to Taiwan before becoming president of the Liberal Democratic Party; she allowed the display of the self-proclaimed flag of the Taiwan region alongside the Japanese national flag during a video call with Tsai Ing-wen in 2021; and following a blatant meeting with Lai Ching-te in April this year, she openly proposed establishing a "Japan-Taiwan quasi-security alliance."

Since assuming the role of prime minister, Takaichi has gone even further, packing the Liberal Democratic Party and her cabinet with pro-Taiwan independence figures, including some extremists who have openly referred to China's Taiwan as a "country."

In the meantime, she is accelerating the revision of security policy documents, relaxing restrictions on weapon exports, and plotting to abandon the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles." This series of actions and statements, capped off by her recent seriously erroneous remarks, reflect the unyielding militarist ambitions of right-wing forces in Japan. They seek to exploit the Taiwan question to break free from the constraints of the "Peace Constitution" and restore military expansion.

At the same time, the Lai Ching-te authorities' shameless flattery of Japan has sunk to such depths that it tramples on national dignity, invoking nothing but contempt. Japan colonized Taiwan for fifty years, a period during which over 600,000 Chinese compatriots were killed and local mineral and livelihood resources were ruthlessly plundered. That history of humiliation remains a wound for all Chinese people.

Yet, in the face of Takaichi's blatant remarks and Japan's renewed ambitions to meddle in Taiwan, Lai Ching-te is eagerly currying favor, sparing no resource from Taiwan to please the former brutal invader.  His administration has fully lifted the ban on food imports from Japan's Fukushima and four other regions, his head of foreign affairs has encouraged people in Taiwan to spend in Japan to help boost the country's consumption, and he himself has made false accusations against his own motherland in a blatant distortion of facts.

Worse still, the Lai authorities have repeatedly whitewashed Japan's colonial rule over Taiwan, even going so far as to direct a local university to establish a "Shinzo Abe Research Center," aligning themselves with right-wing revisionist historical views in Japan.

It is evident to any clear-sighted observer that the Japanese right-wing and "Taiwan independence" separatist forces are in collusion, each driven by their own hidden agenda. Japan seeks to use the Taiwan question to contain China and suppress China's growth, while the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces are attempting to rely on Japan to pursue "independence" — hyping up the so-called "threat" from the mainland to escalate confrontation and sacrificing the well-being of all compatriots in Taiwan for their own selfish gains.

In recent days, voices across Taiwan have been rising in condemnation of Lai Ching-te and his ilk, who betrayed the shared stance of the Chinese nation, turned a blind eye to facts and justice, and endangered the general public. Amidst the outrage, there is also a growing and urgent plea that Taiwan must never again be sacrificed to the resurgence of Japanese militarism.

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, as well as the 80th anniversary of the restoration of Taiwan. Eighty years ago, compatriots across the Straits stood side by side in resisting Japanese aggression and ultimately achieved the liberation of the entire nation, including Taiwan. This is a powerful testament to the unity of the Chinese nation.

Today, eighty years later, Takaichi's blatant interference in China's internal affairs, her attempts to resurrect militarism, and her collusion with figures like Lai Ching-te to stir up trouble in Taiwan have ignited outrage among all Chinese people. Taiwan is China's Taiwan. How to solve the Taiwan question and achieve national reunification is a matter for the Chinese people alone and brooks no external interference.

The Chinese government and people have the firm will, resolute determination and strong capability to crush any "Taiwan independence" separatist scheme and external interference. Anyone who dares to distort history or attempt to split China will inevitably face the consequences of their own actions.

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