Beijing, China – China has taken its escalating dispute with Japan over Taiwan to the United Nations. This marks the strongest escalation yet in the two-week-long bilateral crisis. Beijing accused Tokyo of threatening “armed intervention” and vowed to defend its sovereignty in its strongest diplomatic language to date.
In a letter on Friday to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong accused Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of committing a “serious violation of international law” and diplomatic norms.
The threat of “an act of aggression”
China’s move came in response to a statement by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on November 7, in which she said that any hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could be considered “a situation threatening Japan’s survival.” This legal designation allows the Japanese prime minister to deploy the national armed forces.
In a direct and unprecedented threat, the Chinese ambassador asserted in his statement that his country would not tolerate: “If Japan dares to attempt armed intervention in the situation across the strait, it will be an act of aggression.”
He added, “China will resolutely exercise its right to self-defense under the UN Charter and international law. It will resolutely defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
An unprecedented bilateral crisis
Fu Cong’s letter represents the strongest criticism of Takaichi by a senior Chinese official in years. It also comes amid a rapid deterioration in bilateral relations. The dispute has crossed diplomatic boundaries in recent days, with China canceling concerts by Japanese musicians and saying that Tokyo’s remarks have “seriously damaged” trade cooperation.
Ambassador Fu urged Japan to “stop its provocations and transgressions. It must also retract its erroneous statements,” which he said “openly challenge China’s core interests.”
Ambassador Fu urged Japan to “stop its provocations and transgressions. It must also retract its erroneous statements,” which he said “openly challenge China’s core interests.”
