JAKARTA - The Chinese government said it was open to communicating again with Japan on the condition that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi wants to withdraw her remarks that Beijing considered to be wrong about Taiwan.
"If the Japanese side really wants to develop a mutually beneficial strategic relationship with China, what needs to be done is simple and clear, namely, to withdraw Takaichi's erroneous statement on Taiwan," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian at a press conference in Beijing, Tuesday, February 10. reported by ANTARA.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Monday (9/2) that she intends to keep the dialogue channel with China open even though bilateral relations are tense.
"It is precisely because there are concerns and challenges between Japan and China, communication is important. Japan is open to various forms of dialogue," Takaichi said at a press conference after the election victory.
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) led by Takaichi won Japan's lower house elections with the largest victory since the party was formed in 1955 by occupying 316 seats out of 465 contested seats.
"China has explained its position on this issue more than once. A true dialogue is built on the basis of mutual respect and upholding the agreements that have been made," said Lin Jian.
Lin Jian also said China was watching whether Takaichi's statement was in line with actions on the ground or even the opposite.
"If someone only talks about the need for dialogue while continuing to trigger confrontation, then this so-called 'dialogue' is clearly unacceptable. We ask Japan to abide by the four political documents between China and Japan and take concrete actions to show its sincerity in dialogue," said Lin Jian.
Takaichi became the first woman to become prime minister in Japan in October 2025. She often cites former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, nicknamed the "Iron Lady", as her inspiration and her promise to "work, work, work".
He also backed closer ties with the United States (US) and said he would visit Washington next month as well as meet again with US President Donald Trump to discuss global challenges.
Previously on November 7, 2025, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that China's use of military force against Taiwan, which could "create a situation that threatens Japan's survival", still raises tensions in China-Japan relations.
The statement is understood by the Japanese government to allow the Self-Defense Forces to act in support of Taiwan if China imposes a maritime blockade on Taiwan or other forms of pressure.
In response to Takaichi's statement, China has taken a number of retaliatory actions, including resuming imports of Japanese seafood products, cutting off high-level government meetings, advising its citizens not to travel or study in Japan, stopping the release of Japanese films, and promising to retaliate firmly if Tokyo is involved militarily in Taiwan affairs.
In addition, two Chinese Navy J-15 fighter jets locked their radars alternately on the F-15 aircraft of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) over the open sea southeast of Okinawa on Saturday (6/12). The action also triggered protests from Japan.
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