China’s and Japan’s envoys to the United Nations exchanged sharp diplomatic barbs on Monday over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan from November 2025.
China’s permanent representative, Fu Cong, speaking at a Security Council meeting on the international rule of law, reiterated his criticism of the prime minister’s comments, prompting a firm rebuttal from his Japanese counterpart.
In a November Diet session, Takaichi stated that a Taiwan emergency involving the use of force could constitute a situation threatening Japan’s survival.
Fu described Takaichi’s remarks as brazenly provocative, irresponsible, and an intervention in China’s internal affairs, constituting an open breach of Japan’s obligations as a nation defeated in the Second World War.
Meanwhile, Japan’s permanent representative, Kazuyuki Yamazaki, called the Chinese envoy’s allegations regrettable and groundless.
He said, “Since the end of the Second World War, Tokyo has consistently followed the path of a peace-loving nation, making innumerable contributions to the peace and prosperity of the international community, including the multilateral system based on the rule of law.”
He added that the Chinese side should engage in accurate and constructive discourse to promote global stability.
Over recent months, members of the Chinese Communist Party have labelled Takaichi provocatively (in some rhetoric as a “snakehead”) for her unacceptable remarks. Beijing has since pursued a sustained campaign of criticism against her at regional summits (including in South Korea), the UN, and the Security Council.
Japan has on each occasion emphasised its preference for responding calmly through dialogue.
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