Photo: China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Monday slammed Japan for taking a deliberately vague and evasive position on the Taiwan question. He made the remarks when asked by the Global Times at the press conference that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently claimed that Japan has "renounced all rights and claims under the Treaty of San Francisco," and "is not in a position to recognize Taiwan's legal status," and that Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, when asked whether this meant "Japan does not recognize China's sovereignty over Taiwan," reiterated the relevant position stated in the "Treaty of San Francisco." He added that the Japanese government's basic stance regarding Taiwan is precisely as articulated in the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement — nothing more, nothing less. 

Lin noted that Japan has avoided any mention of the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, all of which explicitly affirmed returning Taiwan to China, as well as the four political documents forming the political foundation of China-Japan relations and Japan's own commitment to the one-China principle. "Japan repeatedly brushes aside its obligations with the excuse that its position 'has not changed,' yet cannot even fully restate that position," Lin said, noting that today marks the 82nd anniversary of the Cairo Declaration, and the declaration and related international legal documents not only confirmed China's sovereignty over Taiwan, but also represent major achievements of the World Anti-Fascist War and form an important part of the post-war international order. Complying with these documents, he said, is an international legal obligation Japan must uphold and a prerequisite for its post-war return to the international community.

Lin also noted Japan's recent moves to overhaul its security policy, expand defense spending, and seek revisions to the Three Non-Nuclear Principles. Some forces in Japan are attempting to break free from the constraints of the pacifist constitution and evade obligations imposed on a defeated nation under international law. "History must not be reversed, and the bottom line of peace must not be crossed. Japan must not entertain any illusions about blurring lines on matters of principle," Lin said, urging Japan to draw lessons from history, engage in deep reflection, and take a serious attitude. We demand that Japan withdraw its erroneous remarks and demonstrate its political commitments to China through concrete actions.

Global Times