Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has become Beijing's highest-ranking official to join the war of words over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan, warning that Tokyo's actions are "shocking and send the wrong signal."

"China must firmly respond, not only to protect sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also the hard-won post-war achievements, which came at the cost of blood and sacrifice," the Chinese Foreign Minister stated.

"It is astonishing that the current Japanese leader openly sends the wrong signal about seeking military intervention in the Taiwan issue, making remarks that should not be said and crossing a red line that must not be touched," a statement from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 23/11 quoted Wang Yi as saying.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during an APEC sideline meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea on 31/10. Photo: AFP

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during an APEC sideline meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea on 31/10. Photo: AFP

Tensions between Beijing and Tokyo erupted after Prime Minister Takaichi stated to parliament on 7/11 that a scenario where Taiwan is attacked could trigger a Japanese military response. The comment drew sharp reactions from China, which considers Taiwan its territory awaiting unification.

This escalation ends a brief "honeymoon" between the new Japanese Prime Minister and China. Previously, at APEC in South Korea, Ms. Takaichi and President Xi Jinping had shaken hands and smiled amicably. Observers suggest this also marks the return of China's "wolf warrior diplomacy," a policy previously used but significantly toned down recently.

"Wolf warrior" diplomacy is named after a popular Chinese action film series. "Wolf warrior" diplomats typically adopt an assertive style in their statements, social media posts, interviews with media, and at the negotiating table, aiming to promote China's interests and image.

This style emerged after Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, setting a more assertive foreign policy direction and ending an era of "hiding one's capabilities and biding one's time."

In 11/2019, the Chinese ambassador to Sweden caused a stir by declaring, "We treat our friends with fine wine, but for our enemies, we use shotguns." During negotiations in Alaska in 3/2021, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the US delegation for "creating a hostile atmosphere thick with the smell of gunpowder."

However, in the past three years, Chinese diplomats have gradually reverted to a more traditional approach, moderating public statements and focusing on improving relations with the US, Western Europe, and developing countries. Social media accounts associated with China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs have conveyed less aggressive and confrontational messages than before.

Press conferences held by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also became more moderate. Some Chinese "wolf warrior" diplomats who made internationally impactful statements between 2019 and 2020 have since retired or moved to new positions.

Nevertheless, the first sign of the return of "wolf warrior" diplomacy appeared two weeks ago in a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Xue Jian, China's Consul General in Osaka.

In his post, Mr. Xue retweeted a news report about Ms. Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan and commented that "that dirty head needs to be cut off." The post was later deleted.

Although Beijing described the post as only Mr. Xue's personal opinion, it still sparked widespread debate and discussions online. Some linked the Consul General's comment to "The Sword March," a Chinese war song from the 1930s, which aimed to ignite anti-Japanese sentiment during that period.

After Consul General Xue's post drew criticism from Japan, Chinese diplomats collectively spoke out, with some directly targeting Ms. Takaichi with assertive, "wolf warrior" style language.

"Calls for Japan to strengthen its military power should be viewed with caution in countries that have suffered the devastation of war. Recent comments by this country's new leader only heighten concerns," a post on X by the Chinese embassy in Manila, Philippines stated.

The post included four cartoons depicting ghostly figures representing Japanese militarism looming over Ms. Takaichi. "China today is no longer the China of the past. If Japan dares to militarily intervene in the Taiwan Strait, it will be an act of aggression, and China will certainly retaliate decisively," the Chinese embassy warned.

Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Wang Lutong also posted on X, quoting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's remarks to the press in 3, where he said, "making trouble in the name of Taiwan is bringing trouble upon Japan itself."

China-Japan relations have been prone to tension for decades, largely due to China's painful memories of World War II, when Japanese forces committed numerous atrocities, including the Nanjing Massacre in 1937, for which Beijing believes Tokyo has never adequately apologized. Ms. Takaichi's new comments on Taiwan have reignited these tensions.

Speaking before departing for the G20 summit in South Africa, Ms. Takaichi said her stance had not changed and that her comments did not represent any shift in Japan's policy towards Taiwan. However, this was not enough to satisfy China.

China has repeatedly demanded that the Japanese leader retract her initial comments, warning that Beijing would otherwise intensify countermeasures. China has issued travel warnings to its citizens regarding Japan and banned imports of Japanese seafood.

Chinese diplomats have also accused Ms. Takaichi of reviving war memories. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning posted on X on 21/11 that the people of Taiwan "suffered greatly" from Japan's "crimes and atrocities" after it "occupied and implemented colonial rule" on the island.

In response, Taiwan's foreign affairs agency stated that the island's rights belong to all its people, emphasizing that China's military activities in the region severely undermine peace and stability, escalating tensions.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at an event in Hong Kong on 30/5. Photo: AFP

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at an event in Hong Kong on 30/5. Photo: AFP

Observers suggest that by activating "wolf warrior" diplomacy, China is also sending a diplomatic message to attack Ms. Takaichi's image globally.

China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, described Ms. Takaichi's comments as "terrible" and questioned her credibility in maintaining peace and security. "How can the international community trust Japan's declared commitment to peaceful development?" he said in a post on X last week.

Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a political scientist in Hong Kong, noted that the sharp comments recently unleashed by Chinese diplomats targeting Japan and Prime Minister Takaichi represent "a clear return of wolf warrior diplomacy."

However, Japan has so far not responded to China's criticism, except for reacting to Consul General Xue Jian's post. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said during a regular press conference on 21/11 that "the Japanese government is taking active measures" but would refrain from commenting on individual remarks.

Meanwhile, the attacks from China show no signs of stopping. "The international community should focus more on understanding Japan's true intentions and whether it can still adhere to the path of peaceful development," Mao Ning said on 21/11, when asked about China's "wolf warrior" diplomacy.