TAIPEI (TVBS News) — China expressed strong dissatisfaction Monday (July 28) over Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung's (林佳龍) recent discreet visit to Japan. The Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized the visit, asserting it seriously violated fundamental international relations norms and principles outlined in the four China-Japan political documents. Beijing's sharp response highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding Taiwan's diplomatic activities and China's efforts to limit the island's international engagement.
Lin visited Japan in a private capacity last week, meeting with Japanese politicians including former Minister for Economic Security Sanae Takaichi and Liberal Democratic Party Youth Division Director Yasutaka Nakasone. These meetings, disclosed in a Facebook post on July 25, sparked strong opposition from mainland China, which views any high-level Taiwan diplomatic engagement as provocative. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun (郭嘉昆) emphasized during a regular press briefing that the Taiwan issue remains crucial to the political foundation of China-Japan relations and urged Japan to exercise caution.
Guo noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the global triumph over fascism, as well as Taiwan's retrocession. He stressed Japan's historical responsibility toward Taiwan during this significant commemorative period. China has lodged stern representations with Japan in Beijing and Tokyo, demanding adherence to the spirit of the four China-Japan political documents and warning against sending erroneous signals to Taiwan independence forces.
The Chinese Embassy in Japan also protested the visit, accusing the Japanese government of allowing Lin's entry and indulging in Taiwan independence activities. Embassy officials argued that Japan's accommodation of the Taiwan foreign minister's visit directly harms China-Japan relations. The diplomatic protest represents another escalation in Beijing's campaign to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and pressure countries to limit engagement with Taiwanese officials. ◼