China has escalated its dispute with Japan by bringing the issue to the United Nations, accusing Japan of potentially threatening military action over Taiwan. China’s U. N. Ambassador Fu Cong criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for her remarks suggesting that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could prompt Japan to respond militarily. Fu deemed Takaichi’s statements a serious breach of international law and warned that any military intervention by Japan would be viewed as aggression, asserting that China would defend its sovereignty through self-defense as recognized under U. N. law.
China sees Taiwan, which has its own democratic government, as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to assert control over the island. In response to Takaichi’s comments, which broke the longstanding ambiguous stance of Japan and the U. S. on Taiwan, China stated that the remarks have harmed trade relations and resulted in cancellations of Japanese concerts in China.
Fu demanded that Japan cease its provocations and retract its statements, claiming they challenge China’s vital interests. With the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War Two defeat approaching, China has used this opportunity to recall Japan’s wartime actions, arguing its claims to Taiwan are backed by historical declarations made postwar, such as the Potsdam and Cairo declarations. These declarations, while cited by China, are seen by many as non-legally binding statements, as they were endorsed by the Republic of China government that retreated to Taiwan in 1949.
With information from Reuters