China has called on Japan to squarely address its historical responsibilities regarding Taiwan, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stating Tokyo’s evasive rhetoric “will not get the Japanese side anywhere.” The remarks came during a December 1 press briefing marking the 82nd anniversary of the Cairo Declaration, which affirmed Taiwan’s return to China after World War II.
Lin criticized Japanese leaders for selectively citing the 1951 Treaty of San Francisco – which excluded China – while avoiding reference to binding postwar agreements like the Potsdam Proclamation and Japan’s 1945 surrender terms. “Not once has the Japanese side fully articulated what exactly their position is,” he said, accusing Tokyo of undermining the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations.
The spokesperson linked Japan’s ambiguous stance to broader concerns about its security policy shifts, including defense budget hikes and discussions about revising its pacifist constitution. “These forces never truly learned lessons from history,” Lin warned, urging Tokyo to “retract erroneous remarks” and honor commitments made in the 1972 Joint Statement establishing diplomatic ties.
With cross-strait tensions remaining a focal point in Asia-Pacific geopolitics, China emphasized that adherence to the one-China principle remains non-negotiable for maintaining regional stability. Analysts note Japan’s positioning carries particular weight given its historical role in Taiwan and current security alignment with Western partners.
