Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks regarding Taiwan openly challenge the outcomes of the victory in World War II and the post-war international order, and seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China's letter to the UN Secretary-General, setting out its solemn position, was entirely justified and necessary. China firmly opposes Japan's perverse actions that challenge the post-war international order and seek to resurrect the specter of militarism, FM spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday.

Lin made the remarks at the regular press conference when asked to comment that Japan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations wrote to the UN Secretary-General on November 24 claiming that China's position that Japan would exercise the right of self-defense even without facing an armed attack is wrong; that Japan's basic defense policy is a passive defense strategy, which is "exclusively defense-oriented"; that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks were based on Japan's long-standing position; and that the international community should oppose attempts to pressure other countries' statements and policies.   

Lin stated that Japan's letter is filled with false viewpoints and hypocritical lies. The letter refers to Japan's so-called "consistent position" on the Taiwan question, but what exactly this "consistent position" is remains unclear. Japan has repeatedly evaded the issue and been vague, and still has not given China a direct answer. 

"Here, we must ask once again: Can the Japanese government give the international community a complete and accurate explanation of what its 'consistent position' on the Taiwan question is, as laid out in the four political documents between China and Japan?" Lin said.

Lin said that Japan stresses adhering to its so-called "exclusively defense-oriented" and "passive defense" policies, and claims that Prime Minister Takaichi's previous remarks are based on this stance. Taiwan is China's territory. How the Taiwan question is resolved is a matter for the Chinese people and brooks no external interference. 

"When Takaichi links Japan's 'survival-threatening situation' to a so-called 'Taiwan contingency,' implicitly suggesting the use of force against China—does this represent what Japan calls its policy of "exclusive defense" and 'passive defense?'" Lin asked.

Lin noted that the UN Charter stipulates that all members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force. Yet Takaichi, a sitting leader of a World War II defeated country, is threatening the use of force against a victorious country on the grounds of a so-called "survival-threatening situation." "On this point alone, how can Japan still brazenly claim that it 'respects and adheres to international law, including the UN Charter'?" Lin asked.

Lin also said Japan is insinuating that other countries' defense buildup amounts to "coercion," which is a complete reversal of the truth. Since Japan's defeat, right-wing forces have relentlessly sought to whitewash its history of aggression. In recent years, Japan's defense budget has increased for 13 consecutive years; it has loosened restrictions on collective self-defense, repeatedly eased limits on weapons exports, pursued the development of so-called "counterstrike capabilities," and even eyed revising the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles," said Lin. 

Step by step, Japan has hollowed out obligations clearly stipulated for Japan in the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, and violated commitments enshrined in its own constitution. In fact, the party seeking to expand military power, coerce others, and unilaterally change the status quo against the wishes of its neighbors is Japan itself, said the spokesperson. 

Lin said in light of these circumstances, China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations has once again written to the UN Secretary-General to reaffirm China's solemn position. 

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. China firmly opposes Japan's perverse actions that challenge the post-war international order and seek to resurrect the specter of militarism. China again urges Japan to truly reflect, correct its mistakes, fulfill the obligations of a defeated country, and honor—through concrete actions—its commitments to China and the international community, instead of repeatedly acting in bad faith, said Lin.

Global Times