• China has condemned remarks by Japanese lawmaker Sanae Takaichi concerning Taiwan as "extremely dangerous" and a violation of bilateral political commitments.
  • The Chinese government summoned Japan's ambassador to formally protest what it views as interference in China's internal affairs.
  • The incident highlights ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two economic partners, despite bilateral trade reaching $292.6 billion in 2024.

China's Foreign Ministry issued a sharp rebuke on Thursday, labeling comments by senior Japanese lawmaker Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan as "provocative" and "extremely dangerous." The diplomatic protest, which included summoning Japan's ambassador, underscores the persistent sensitivity of the Taiwan issue in Sino-Japanese relations.

According to people familiar with the matter, Chinese officials delivered a formal diplomatic protest at the Japanese embassy, emphasizing that Takaichi's statements violated the political commitments between the two nations. The specific content of Takaichi's remarks wasn't detailed in the official protest, but they were characterized as supporting Taiwan's international standing, which China views as crossing a clear red line.

China maintains that Taiwan is an inalienable part of its territory and has repeatedly warned foreign governments against actions or statements that could be interpreted as support for Taiwanese independence. Japan officially recognizes the People's Republic of China and adheres to a "One China" policy, though some Japanese politicians periodically voice support for Taiwan, creating diplomatic friction.

The timing of this incident is particularly notable given recent military encounters between Chinese and Japanese aircraft in the East China Sea in July 2025, which had already strained relations. Despite close economic ties—with bilateral trade reaching $292.6 billion in 2024—political tensions frequently flare over issues including Taiwan, historic interpretation of WWII, and territorial disputes over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands.

Efforts to reach Takaichi's office for additional comment were unsuccessful Thursday. A spokesperson for Japan's foreign ministry declined to elaborate on the specifics of the diplomatic meeting beyond confirming it had taken place.

This latest spat follows a familiar pattern seen across the region, where the US, EU, and lawmakers from allied countries have faced strong Chinese reactions for similar statements or visits to Taiwan. Diplomatic analysts suggest that while immediate economic retaliation is unlikely, repeated incidents risk deepening distrust and complicating efforts to stabilize bilateral ties amid broader regional security challenges.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the total bilateral trade figure for 2023. The correct figure for 2024 is $292.6 billion.