China has issued a stern rebuke of Japan's recent statements on Taiwan and historical issues, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun accusing Japanese officials of distorting facts to evade accountability. The remarks follow Japan's attempts to defend Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's controversial comments about the Taiwan region during diplomatic exchanges with European nations.
Guo highlighted a pattern of historical revisionism, citing Japan's portrayal of its WWII aggression as 'Asian liberation,' minimization of the Nanjing Massacre, and whitewashing of Unit 731's atrocities. 'Japan continues to cast itself as a victim while avoiding meaningful reflection on militarism's role in sparking global conflict,' Guo stated during a December 17 briefing.
The spokesperson criticized Tokyo's recent security policy shifts, including lifting collective self-defense restrictions and relaxing arms export controls. He warned that such moves, coupled with Takaichi's Taiwan remarks, 'blatantly challenge the post-WWII international order and alarm regional neighbors.'
Emphasizing broad international support, Guo noted that multiple Southeast Asian countries and others have recently reaffirmed commitment to the one-China principle and opposition to Taiwan independence. 'Defending historical justice isn't just China's concern—it's vital for all Asia-Pacific members,' he added.
China urged Japan to cease spreading 'false narratives' about history and cross-strait relations, demanding concrete actions to correct what Beijing calls 'dangerous deviations' from postwar pacifist principles. The diplomatic friction comes amid heightened regional attention to Japan's military policy changes and their implications for Asian security dynamics.
