"China is my second hometown, and Chinese friends are my cherished family - I will always support one China." 

On Tuesday, Japanese singer MARiA, who has been developing her career in China, posted these words on her personal Sina Weibo account, which quickly became a trending topic on the social media platform. At a time when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks regarding China's Taiwan are causing escalating tension in China-Japan relations, MARiA's statement drew intense attention online both in China and Japan, with some extreme voices in Japan attacking her online.

On Thursday evening, MARiA sat in front of the camera for the Global Times and shared her thoughts.

The following is the Q&A from the Global Times' interview:

GT: Why did you publicly state that "I will always support one China" on Weibo? What message did you hope to convey with this post?

MARiA: My statement is mainly to express my warmth and love to the Chinese public, as well as my gratitude for people's support. Many things cannot be fully understood through external observation alone, but during my time in China, I truly received a lot of help from Chinese friends, and also gained plenty of love and courage from my fans. When I first came to China, I didn't speak the language and often ran into things I didn't understand, but everyone was very enthusiastic in helping me, very friendly, and this left a deep impression on me. It's now been almost three years since I came to China, and I really like it here. Chinese friends has given me so much love, and this place has become very important to me. So, this statement was made out of feelings of gratitude and respect.

Rather than saying I wanted to send a specific message, I hope people can feel the sincerity and honesty in my words, and feel the respect and gratitude within them. That would make me very grateful.

GT: You have often said that China is your "second hometown." Where does this feeling come from? Can you elaborate?

MARiA: In 2023, I participated in the recording of a Chinese variety show (Ride the Wind 2023) for the first time. At the time, when I first met the Chinese sisters, I was new and didn't understand anything, but the sisters helped me very enthusiastically, called me "Xiao Mei," and took great care of me. During that period of time, I was quite lonely, but everyone's love and kindness made me truly feel that bonds like family can be built across national borders. Before coming to China, I was actually a little nervous and uneasy, but after arriving here, everyone welcomed me so warmly that all my uneasiness disappeared. Now, this place truly feels warm to me.

GT: How long did you consider before making this statement on Weibo? We have seen some extreme online comments in Japan. Are you worried about online attacks in Japan for openly supporting one China?

MARiA: Indeed, making a clear statement like this was not something I could decide instantly. But compared to the various voices online, I trust more in what I have seen and felt myself after coming to China, which is the truth. I wanted to share with everyone the love I feel for the Chinese people and what I have experienced here, so I'm not afraid of being misunderstood. This is why I made the statement. Although I did experience fear and anxiety, and it took me some time to make up my mind, I still decided to do it.

Before posting on Weibo, I also anticipated that there would be some negative reactions from people in Japan. In fact, I have already received a lot of opinions. But I made my decision to speak up, fully understanding there would be different voices.

GT: On Japanese social media, how have your fans and friends in Japan reacted to your statement on Sina Weibo?

MARiA: Frankly, there have indeed been some rather harsh opinions. Of course, it's impossible for everyone to agree - people from different countries and regions all live with different ideas. I never expected everyone to approve of what I did.

But among them, there are also some people who have seen my sincerity and the path I have always persisted in, and they firmly support me. So, as I said just now, I believe my sincerity and honesty will reach everyone's hearts one day.

GT: Some netizens have questioned whether this account is managed by your staff, suggesting that the post may not reflect your true views.

MARiA: My studio in China does have accounts now, but my personal [Weibo] account was created before I met them, and I have been running it myself for over a decade. The post was written and posted by me, and it has nothing to do with other staff members.

GT: You once said you wanted to become "a small bridge" for cultural exchanges between China and Japan. How do you plan to achieve that goal?

MARiA: In terms of China-Japan relations, I am keenly aware that my ability is limited. Still, I want to promote exchanges through concerts and other means. When Chinese friends come to my concerts, they develop an interest in Japanese culture by listening to Japanese songs. At the same time, I've witnessed many such scenes where Japanese audiences coming to my concerts in China, creating a joyful and harmonious atmosphere with my Chinese fans. I believe that the accumulation of these small acts will eventually build a bridge of friendship connecting us all. I also firmly believe that as long as I stay true to my own musical path, even the small bridge can one day grow into something truly grand.

GT: Through programs like Ride the Wind 2023, you've gained more fans and supporters in China. Do you have any long-term plans for your work in China?

MARiA: As for my work plan in China, I hope to create more Chinese songs in the music field. I'm also very interested in incorporating Chinese cultural elements into my music, particularly by exploring the beautiful sounds of traditional instruments like the erhu and guzheng. Moreover, I look forward to collaborating with Chinese artists - not just in music, but also in new fields such as acting, constantly expanding my professional boundaries.

GT: You described your upcoming Beijing concert as the "birth of NEW MARiA." In what specific ways is this "new" reflected?

MARiA: Actually, I've been through a lot recently. It truly feels like a brand-new start. I've grown more independent and taken a new step forward. During this process, some things won't change, which are the beliefs I'll always hold dear. With these ideas, I'm now ready to spread my wings and fly higher than ever. This is the "new me." In the future, I will continue to challenge myself with things I couldn't accomplish before, and I believe I can bring them to everyone. Please look forward to the brand new MARiA.

GT: Recently, China-Japan relations have experienced some setbacks. As a Japanese artist building your career in China, what are your expectations for future exchanges between the two countries?

MARiA: Ever since I first came to China to appear on variety shows, I've always said the same thing: I genuinely hope that China and Japan - and indeed the whole world - can live together in peace and treat one another with kindness. This wish has never changed and never will. Although individual strength is limited, as long as I can bring even the slightest positive impact through music, I will steadfastly do it and pass on this beauty. If my singing can soften even one person's heart, bring them a little courage and joy, and allow everyone to have a happier time, then that is my sense of fulfillment as a singer. I will always hold onto this belief and continue singing.