China condemns Japan's distortions on Taiwan question and history

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Wednesday sternly criticized recent Japanese statements on Taiwan, saying that some in Japan are deliberately distorting facts, refusing to correct wrongdoing, and attempting to feign innocence for international sympathy.

According to reports, Japan's National Security Advisor Ichikawa Keiichi recently explained Japan's position on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan during conversations with officials from the UK, France, Germany and Canada. He claimed that Takaichi's comments at the Diet did not alter Japan's long-standing position on Taiwan and rejected China's criticism.

When asked to comment, Guo noted that this is not the first time right-wing forces in Japan have fabricated false narratives. "They depicted Japan's war of aggression against Asian neighbors as 'the liberation of Asia,' downplayed the horrendous Nanjing Massacre as 'the Nanjing incident,' whitewashed the infamous Unit 731 as a 'public health research unit,' and dismissed forced labor and 'comfort women' as 'voluntary acts'," Guo said.

He pointed out that after World War II, Japan has repeatedly depicted itself as a "victim," while deliberately avoiding reflection on the role of militarism as the root cause of the war. "It claims to uphold the exclusively defense-oriented principle and the passive defense strategy, but has removed the ban on exercising the right to collective self-defense, kept relaxing restrictions on arms exports, and even attempted to revise its three non-nuclear principles."

Guo added that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan have drawn indignation from the Chinese people, as well as opposition and criticism from within Japan and some other countries.

"What Japan should do is to listen to these calls and do soul-searching rather than make futile attempts to persuade other countries into believing their groundless explanations. We urge some in Japan to stop spreading false narratives, face up to history, reflect on and correct the wrongdoings, retract the erroneous remarks, honor the commitments, and act responsibly to offer China and the international community a satisfactory answer," Guo said.

Responding to questions about China's meetings with ambassadors from Southeast Asian countries and others based in Beijing after Takaichi's erroneous remarks, Guo said, "China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains normal working relations with embassies of all countries in Beijing."

He emphasized that the one-China principle is a universally recognized basic norm in international relations and a prevailing consensus of the international community, including Southeast Asian countries.

"The erroneous remarks on Taiwan made by Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi seriously violate international law and basic norms governing international relations, and blatantly challenge the outcomes of WWII victory and international justice," the spokesperson stressed.

Guo added that the dangerous trend of reviving Japanese militarism has put regional countries and peoples on high alert. "Defending the postwar international order, human conscience and justice serves the common interest of all sides and is a must choice."

"We noted that recently many regional countries have once again stressed their commitment to the one-China principle, opposition to 'Taiwan independence,' support for China's reunification, as well as their vigilance and resistance to the possible revival of militarism," Guo also said.

He urged the Japanese side to heed the calls, do soul-searching and correct its wrongdoings, instead of creating confusion and trouble.