Beijing, China — China has summoned a senior Japanese diplomat to lodge solemn representations regarding Tokyo’s recent statements about China, urging Japan to stop interfering in its internal affairs.
On Tuesday, Liu Jinsong, Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, expressed ‘serious concern and strong dissatisfaction’ to Yokochi Akira, Chief Minister of the Embassy of Japan in China. The concerns centered on the Japanese government’s comments at the recent Japan-U.S. Foreign and Defense Ministerial (2+2) meeting, the Japan-U.S. ministerial meeting on extended deterrence, and the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, among others.
Liu condemned Japan’s disparaging attacks on China, highlighting that they contradict the proclaimed strategic reciprocal relationship between the two nations. He urged Japan to adopt an objective and rational understanding of China, cease interference in China’s internal affairs, and avoid collaborating with certain countries to form exclusive cliques and provoke confrontation.
‘China calls on Japan to work together to uphold the political foundation of our bilateral relations and to genuinely implement our strategic reciprocal relationship,’ Liu stated.
In response, Yokochi reaffirmed Japan’s adherence to the 1972 Japan-China Joint Statement on the Taiwan issue and expressed Japan’s desire to further advance the strategic reciprocal relationship between the two countries.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
