20 h. ago Why Beijing thinks Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks challenge the post

Beijing has condemned Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan, not only as a violation of the one-China principle but also as a challenge to the post-war international order. Takaichi suggested on November 7 that Tokyo could respond militarily to a potential attack on the island, making her the first sitting Japanese leader since World War II to publicly link a Taiwan contingency with the possible deployment of Japan’s Self-Defence Forces. Beijing regards Taiwan’s restoration...

Politics

20 h. ago Why Beijing thinks Japan PM Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks challenge post

Beijing has condemned Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan, not only as a violation of the one-China principle but also as a challenge to the post-war international order. Takaichi suggested on November 7 that Tokyo could respond militarily to a potential attack on the island, making her the first sitting Japanese leader since World War II to publicly link a Taiwan contingency with the possible deployment of Japan’s Self-Defence Forces. Beijing regards Taiwan’s restoration...

Politics

8 d. ago ‘Internal affair’: China dismisses reported US mediation in Japan row

Beijing has warned against foreign interference in its internal affairs following reports that US President Donald Trump privately pressed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to dial back her rhetoric on Taiwan. During a call on Tuesday, the US leader urged Takaichi not to provoke China, according to a Wall Street Journal report that cited government officials. While reportedly briefed on Takaichi’s domestic political constraints, Trump asked her to “temper” her tone, but stopped short of...

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1 week ago Why China took Japan criticism to UN twice but did not raise it at G20

In a span of just four days last week, Beijing’s envoy to the United Nations criticised Japan – and its leader’s comments related to Taiwan – twice. Fu Cong first said, during a debate on reforming the UN Security Council on Tuesday, that Tokyo was “totally unqualified” to seek a permanent seat on the group, calling Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s earlier comments on Taiwan “brazen” and “provocative”. Takaichi on November 7 suggested that Japan could deploy its military forces in the...

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1 week ago Trump and China's leader Xi Jinping hold a call and discuss trade, Taiwan and Ukraine

Trump and China's leader Xi Jinping hold a call and discuss trade, Taiwan and Ukraine  NPR

Politics

1 week ago Trump to visit China in April after ‘very good’ call with Xi

US President Donald Trump said on Monday he will visit China in April at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping following a phone conversation between the two leaders that also covered Taiwan, Ukraine and bilateral relations. “Our relationship with China is extremely strong!” Trump said on social media following the Monday morning call, a follow-up to their “highly successful” meeting in South Korea on October 30. “Since then, there has been significant progress on both sides in keeping...

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1 week ago China’s UN envoy pours fresh scorn on Japan’s ‘unrepentant’ Takaichi

China’s ambassador to the United Nations has doubled down on his criticism of Japan, calling Japanese leader Sanae Takaichi’s earlier comments on Taiwan “highly dangerous” and damaging to the post-war international order. According to state broadcaster CCTV, Fu Cong said in a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Friday that Japan was “unrepentant” for the “blatantly provocative” remarks of its prime minister. He said Takaichi’s comments marked the first time a Japanese leader had...

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2 w. ago Japan PM says she wants better China ties but doesn’t withdraw Taiwan comments

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Friday the country had been “consistent” over Taiwan but insisted she wanted better relations with China. Beijing has insisted she must retract her recent comments that Japanese troops might intervene in a conflict over the island because it could be a “survival-threatening situation”. But when asked if she would do so, she did not answer directly but said Tokyo would “make a comprehensive judgment based on all available information regarding a...

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2 w. ago Japan PM says she wants better Beijing ties but doesn’t retract Taiwan comments

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Friday the country had been “consistent” over Taiwan but insisted she wanted better relations with Beijing. Beijing has insisted she must retract her recent comments that Japanese troops might intervene in a conflict over the island because it could be a “survival-threatening situation”. But when asked if she would do so, she did not answer directly but said Tokyo would “make a comprehensive judgment based on all available information regarding a...

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2 w. ago Japan protests after China tells citizens not to visit in escalating feud over leader's Taiwan remarks

Japan protests after China tells citizens not to visit in escalating feud over leader's Taiwan remarks  CBS News

Politics

2 w. ago Beijing warns against travel to Japan as row over Taiwan comments intensifies

China has told its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan, upping the ante in its row with Tokyo after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested her country could deploy its military forces in the event of a cross-strait conflict. In a notice late on Friday night, China’s foreign ministry said the safety of its citizens in Japan had “continued to deteriorate”, citing a series of targeted attacks this year. The ministry said the Japanese leader had made provocative remarks on Taiwan-related...

Events

3 w. ago China urges Japanese leader to retract 'egregious' remarks on Taiwan

China urges Japanese leader to retract 'egregious' remarks on Taiwan  NBC News

Politics

3 w. ago China and Europe need clear communication on thorny issues, observer says

Brussels and Beijing are both to blame for their strained ties and clear communication is needed to handle sensitive issues like Taiwan and rare earths, according to a veteran business leader and China watcher. Joerg Wuttke, former president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, said the 27-member bloc should also redouble efforts to become more resilient. Wuttke – now a partner at consulting firm DGA Albright Stonebridge Group in Washington – also called for a new Manhattan...

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3 w. ago Why China and Europe need to talk and how they can cope with chaos

Brussels and Beijing are both to blame for their strained ties and clear communication is needed to handle sensitive issues like Taiwan and rare earths, according to a veteran business leader and China watcher. Joerg Wuttke, former president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, said the 27-member bloc should also redouble efforts to become more resilient. Wuttke – now a partner at consulting firm DGA Albright Stonebridge Group in Washington – also called for a new Manhattan...

Events

3 w. ago ‘Milestone’ or stunt? Taiwanese debate No 2 leader’s European Parliament speech

A surprise appearance at the European Parliament by Taiwan’s No 2 leader Hsiao Bi-khim has stirred debate at home over whether the move signals a substantial breakthrough in ties with Europe – or if it was just a risky publicity stunt. Supporters hailed the event as a success for Taiwan’s outreach to Europe, while critics called it little more than a rented hall performance. In a late-night statement on Friday, the office of William Lai Ching-te said the Taiwanese leader had personally...

Politics

3 w. ago China’s National Games, ‘da ka’ moments in Singapore: 5 weekend reads

We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Xi opens National Games, Hong Kong’s Lee says hosting ‘honour’ – as it happened 2. Beijing protests after Taiwan’s No 2 leader makes speech at European Parliament 3. EU claims agreement with China to unblock Nexperia chip flow 4. Chinese tourists flock to Singapore for ‘da ka’ moments, despite...

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3 w. ago Taiwan No 2 leader’s speech, Mongols’ rule during Yuan dynasty: 5 weekend reads

We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Xi opens National Games, Hong Kong’s Lee says hosting ‘honour’ – as it happened 2. Beijing protests after Taiwan’s No 2 leader makes speech at European Parliament 3. EU claims agreement with China to unblock Nexperia chip flow 4. Chinese tourists flock to Singapore for ‘da ka’ moments, despite...

Politics

4 w. ago Taiwan’s No 2 leader makes shock speech at European Parliament

Taiwan’s Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim gave a speech at the European Parliament in Brussels on Friday, in what organisers claimed made her the most senior official from Taipei to have spoken in a foreign legislature in which it does not have diplomatic recognition. Hsiao spoke at a private conference of lawmakers from around the world who advocate for tougher China policies, hosted in the parliament and unannounced, which is sure to provoke a furious response from Beijing. The No 2 leader told...

Politics

4 w. ago Beijing protests after Taiwan’s No 2 leader makes speech at European Parliament

Beijing has lodged a protest with the European Union following a surprise speech by Taiwan’s No 2 leader Hsiao Bi-khim at the European Parliament in Brussels on Friday. Organisers said she was the most senior official from Taiwan to have spoken at a foreign legislature in which the island did not have diplomatic recognition. Hsiao spoke at an unofficial conference of lawmakers from around the world who advocate for tougher China policies. She told the gathering that “cross-strait stability is...

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