China Considers Japan's Plan To Place Missiles Near Taiwan Provocation

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mao Ning (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said Japan's plan to place missiles near Taiwan was an attempt to provoke a military confrontation.

On Sunday, The Japan Times newspaper, citing Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, reported that Tokyo remains committed to placing medium-range missiles on the island of Yonaguni, about 110 kilometers from Taiwan.

Mao at a press conference said Japan's plan to place offensive weapons on the island near Taiwan was a deliberate attempt to escalate regional tensions and provoke military conflict.

"Considering Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous statement regarding Taiwan, this move is very dangerous and demands higher vigilance from neighboring countries and the international community," he continued.

He also accused right-wing factions in Japan of trying to push for the omission of the country's passive constitution, so that Japan was increasingly sliding towards militarism and dragging Tokyo and the region to disaster.

China, Mao said, would never allow Japan's far-right powers to reverse history, nor tolerate foreign interference in Taiwan's affairs or the rise of Japanese militarism.

"China has the determination and ability to defend the sovereignty of its national territory," he said.

Diplomatic tensions escalated after Takaichi on November 7 stated China's hypothetical attack on Taiwan would create a "situation that threatens survival," which would force Japan to respond. His remarks sparked criticism from China as well as from opposition parties in Japan.

In response, China's Foreign Ministry summoned Japan's Ambassador to China, Kenji Kanasugi.

Meanwhile, China's Deputy Foreign Minister, Sun Weidong, protested strongly over the prime minister's comments regarding China. China also asked its citizens not to travel to Japan.