Japan Includes Taiwan and Senkaku Islands in Defense White Paper... China Warns "Be Careful with Words and Actions"

A pedestrian is passing in front of a large propaganda billboard at a beach in Xiamen, China, which reads "One Country, Two Systems, Unified China."
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] After Japan mentioned Taiwan and the Senkaku Islands (called Diaoyu Islands in Chinese) in its Defense White Paper, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense issued a warning to "be cautious with words and actions."

On the 27th, Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Tan Kefei said at a monthly briefing, referring to "China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The draft of Japan's 2021 Defense White Paper reportedly included the statement that "stability in the Taiwan situation is important for Japan's security and the stability of the international community." Earlier, in last month's US-Japan summit joint statement, Japan also emphasized "the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues."

Spokesperson Tan stressed, "The Taiwan issue is China's internal affair," and said, "No foreign interference will be tolerated." He further criticized, "What Japan should do is deeply reflect on its history of militaristic aggression."

Regarding the Senkaku Islands, which are disputed between Japan and China, Tan stated, "They are China's inherent territory," emphasizing that Japan illegally seized them in 1895 taking advantage of the First Sino-Japanese War, and after the end of World War II, sovereignty was returned to China through the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Declaration.

Japan's Defense White Paper reportedly also contains content stating that Chinese Coast Guard vessels repeatedly intrude into the (Japanese) territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands, violating international law.

Spokesperson Tan also issued a warning to the United States concerning Taiwan. Regarding the US announcement of arms sales to Taiwan, he said, "It sends a seriously wrong signal to Taiwan independence separatist forces," and urged restraint, saying, "We hope all forms of exchanges, military relations, and arms sales with Taiwan will stop." He also addressed Taiwan's ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party, stating, "The illusion of seeking independence by force will only lead the Taiwanese compatriots into the abyss of disaster," and added, "The Chinese military will resolutely thwart any attempt at independence or separatism."