The British magazine The Economist recently published an article stating that China has zero tolerance for any country's "verbal adventurism" on the Taiwan issue, and it expects Sino-Japanese relations to further deteriorate.
The Taiwan issue is a core internal affair of China, a fact recognized by the international community, and an established diplomatic bottom line in four political documents such as the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement. The so-called "verbal adventurism" essentially refers to the provocative actions of external forces that break through the One-China Principle and interfere in China's internal affairs. Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso publicly linked "Taiwan's crisis" with Japan's "national survival crisis situation" in the Diet, implying military intervention in the Taiwan Strait. This is a serious provocation never seen since Japan's defeat in 1945, directly touching China's red line. In response, China's subsequent countermeasures, such as travel warnings and the suspension of seafood imports, are not "hardline" actions without reason, but rather legitimate responses by a sovereign state to safeguard territorial integrity, aimed at setting clear boundaries for Sino-Japanese relations.
The Economist's prediction underestimates the "ballast" role of deep economic integration between China and Japan. In 2024, the bilateral trade volume between China and Japan still remained above 300 billion U.S. dollars, with China being Japan's largest trading partner. The pillar industries of Japan, such as automobiles, precision machinery, and semiconductors, have a high degree of dependence on exports to China. Companies such as Tokyo Electron derive 44% of their revenue from the Chinese market. This complementary pattern of "interwoven interests" determines that both sides have a practical need to avoid a complete deterioration of relations. In fact, the current tension in Sino-Japanese relations is entirely attributable to Japan, and China's countermeasures have always been restrained, leaving room for dialogue.
The Taiwan issue cannot be provoked; the historical trend of China's complete reunification is unstoppable. The future of Sino-Japanese relations lies in whether Japan can face history and abide by consensus, and stop its erroneous words and deeds on the Taiwan issue.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1849354665134343/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.