China has expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of diplomatic talks with Japan regarding Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's recent comments about Taiwan, describing the atmosphere during the meeting as serious.
Japanese ministry of foreign affairs's Asian and Oceanian affairs bureau director-general Masataka Kanai visited Beijing on Monday for consultations about Takaichi's parliamentary statements concerning "a Taiwan contingency."
Kanai met with Chinese foreign ministry's Asian affairs department director-general Liu Jinsong on Tuesday, with their talks concluding around 2pm.
When seeing Kanai off, Liu was observed by journalists with his hands in his pockets and no handshake was exchanged between the two officials. Kanai left without answering media questions, appearing solemn.
After the consultation, Liu told reporters he was dissatisfied with the outcome and described the meeting atmosphere as serious.
Photo: Reuters
Photo: Reuters
Photo: Reuters
During the talks, Liu reiterated China's strong protest against Takaichi's erroneous remarks, stating they seriously violated international law, fundamental norms of international relations, undermined the post-war international order, and breached the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China seriously urged Japan to retract the erroneous statements and stop creating incidents on China-related issues.
Earlier reports indicated Kanai explained during his visit that Takaichi's remarks wouldn't change the Japanese government's existing position, emphasizing that differences shouldn't affect personnel exchanges. The Japanese government believes it inappropriate to further escalate the situation and plans to calmly assess China's response through diplomatic channels.
Takaichi had suggested earlier this month that "a Taiwan contingency" could constitute an "existential crisis situation" potentially justifying Japan's exercise of collective self-defence, sparking strong reactions from Beijing.
