Chinese state media blast Japan PM’s Taiwan comments as Tokyo considers expelling a Chinese diplomat over “inappropriate” social media post
BEIJING: Chinese state media launched a series of vitriolic attacks against Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi over her Taiwan comments as the diplomatic spat continued on Wednesday.
Takaichi sparked the furore by stating in parliament last week that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” potentially triggering a Japanese military response.
China lodged a formal protest and Chinese Consul General in Osaka Xue Jian posted what Tokyo called an “extremely inappropriate” threatening message about Takaichi.
While Takaichi has since promised to refrain from such comments and Tokyo called for mutual efforts to reduce friction, Chinese media commentaries suggest the dispute continues.
State broadcaster CCTV declared in a Tuesday editorial that Takaichi’s remarks were of “extremely malicious nature and impact” and had “crossed the line” with China.
A social media account affiliated with CCTV called Takaichi a “troublemaker” using wordplay on her family name’s Chinese pronunciation.
“Has her head been kicked by a donkey?” asked the Yuyuan Tantian account post.
“If she continues to spew shit without any boundaries like this, Takaichi might have to pay the price!”
The CCTV editorial also compared Takaichi’s “survival-threatening situations” reference to Japan’s 1931 invasion of northeast China’s Manchuria.
Japanese leaders have traditionally avoided mentioning Taiwan when discussing such scenarios, maintaining strategic ambiguity similar to their US allies.
Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory and hasn’t ruled out using force to control the island located just 110km from Japanese territory.
Taiwan’s government firmly rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims over the island.
Meanwhile, senior Japanese political figures suggested expelling Chinese diplomat Xue over his deleted social media post commenting “the dirty head that sticks itself in must be cut off”.
China maintained the post was made in Xue’s personal capacity.
Ruling party policy chief Takayuki Kobayashi urged the government on Tuesday to expel Xue if Beijing showed no effort to resolve the situation.
Prominent opposition lawmaker Kenta Izumi also called for Xue’s quick expulsion.
Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung warned on Wednesday that Xue’s remarks risked stirring anti-Japanese sentiment among Chinese people.
“If this isn’t handled properly, it could escalate significantly,” Lin told reporters.
“So it cannot be treated as an isolated incident or just a personal remark.” – Reuters
