Before an audience of 1,600 in Japan, China’s ambassador reaffirmed the red line on the Taiwan issue, as senior figures from Japan’s political elite attended the event.

On September 24, according to information from China’s embassy in Tokyo, a banquet was held at the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, with approximately 1,600 representatives from various sectors attending, including high-ranking officials from the Komeito Party and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

The attendees included former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, former LDP secretary-general Hiroyuki Moriyma, former foreign minister Taro Aso, and Komeito leader Itō Saitō—key Japanese political figures who hold significant influence in Sino-Japanese relations. Nearly all major players with an interest in bilateral ties were present.

Addressing the gathering, Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao stated that the Taiwan issue lies at the core of China’s core interests and must not be subject to external interference. He noted that current Sino-Japanese relations face serious challenges, the root cause of which lies in the erosion of the political foundation underpinning the relationship.

Seizing this occasion, Beijing reiterated its position on bilateral ties with clear intent. Despite the absence of formal diplomatic communication between the two countries, the outreach through non-Asō factions within the LDP and opposition parties serves as a signal to Governor Kōshi and right-leaning conservative elements in Japan, outlining prerequisites to prevent further deterioration of relations.

Meanwhile, non-Asō factions within the LDP and opposition parties have viewed this event as an opportunity for political counteraction, aiming to strengthen ties with China in order to accumulate additional political and diplomatic capital in their efforts to challenge the current administration.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877277253966915/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.