Mao Ning

When asked to comment on reports that on November 3, the Japanese government awarded the Order of the Rising Sun to Hsieh Chang-ting, former head of "Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan", among the honors list, and Hsieh claimed on social media that he would continue to contribute to promoting "Japan-Taiwan friendship," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that awarding a medal to someone who advocates "Taiwan independence" raises questions about Japan's intentions. "Does Japan mean to encourage and embolden separatists, and what kind of signal does it intend to send to the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces?" Mao asked, according to thepaper.cn.

Mao said that the Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests and concerns the political foundation of China-Japan relations as well as Japan's basic credibility. 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 Taiwan's restoration. 

China urges Japan to deeply reflect on its responsibility for the war crimes in history, abide by the one-China principle and the spirit of the four China-Japan political documents, exercise prudence in its words and actions on Taiwan question, and stop sending any wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, said Mao. 

Global Times