"Right-wing forces are leading Japan and the region toward disaster. This is a calculated effort to create regional tension and incite military confrontation," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference in Beijing today.

The statement follows Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi's announcement on 23/11 that Tokyo plans to deploy medium-range anti-aircraft missiles on Yonaguni, the southernmost island located about 110 km east of Taiwan, amid rising tensions with China. Koizumi stated, "This missile deployment decision could help reduce the risk of armed attack on our country."

According to Mao Ning, Japan's move is "extremely dangerous and will cause serious concern for neighboring countries and the international community." The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson added, "Coupled with the erroneous statements by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan, this trend is extremely dangerous and demands utmost vigilance from neighboring countries and the international community." She further emphasized that Beijing possesses the "determination and capability to safeguard its national territorial sovereignty."

Japan has not yet commented on Mao's statement.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a press conference in Beijing in 2023. *AFP*

China and Japan are experiencing their most serious diplomatic crisis in years. This follows Prime Minister Takaichi's statement that in the event of an attack on Taiwan, Tokyo could deploy its self-defense forces if the conflict posed an existential threat to Japan.

China responded by demanding Takaichi retract her statement, banning seafood imports, halting the release of Japanese films, and warning its citizens against traveling to Japan. In mid-month, China's Ministry of National Defense warned that Japan would suffer a "catastrophic" military defeat if it used force to intervene in the Taiwan issue.

China consistently views Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory and is prepared to use all measures to achieve unification. Chinese leaders have repeatedly affirmed that they do not rule out the use of force to reclaim the island, though the general policy remains dialogue and peaceful unification.

By Huyen Le (Based on AFP, Reuters reports)