China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, reiterated this week that Japan is unfit to hold a permanent seat on the UN Security Council (UNSC), citing unresolved historical grievances and recent tensions over the Taiwan question.
Speaking at a UN General Assembly session on Security Council reform on Friday, Fu criticized Japan for failing to reckon with its wartime past and undermining regional stability. "Japan has refused to reflect on its history of aggression, openly undermined the post-war international order, and interfered in the sovereignty of other countries," Fu stated, adding that such actions disqualify Tokyo from seeking greater UNSC influence.
The remarks follow Fu's warning on Thursday that any Japanese military involvement in Taiwan affairs would trigger a "head-on blow" from China. He accused Japanese leaders of distorting cross-strait dynamics by framing Taiwan as a "survival-threatening situation" and leveraging the Japan-U.S. alliance to justify potential intervention. "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. No other countries have the right to interfere," Fu emphasized, calling Japan's stance a violation of post-war agreements like the Cairo Declaration.
Fu outlined three principles for UNSC reform during Friday's session:
Preventing the council from becoming a "club" for powerful nations
Prioritizing representation for developing countries and addressing Africa's historical underrepresentation
Adopting long-term strategic vision over short-term power dynamics
These developments highlight growing diplomatic friction as debates over UNSC restructuring intensify in 2026. Analysts note Japan's bid faces significant hurdles amid China's firm opposition and broader questions about balancing global representation in international institutions.
