Gao Shizhao has caused trouble and now wants to "play dead"? China has been intensifying its pressure on Japan for four consecutive days, the Foreign Ministry announced at midnight, and summoned the Japanese ambassador to China. This time, Japan won't be able to easily move on.

(The Foreign Ministry summoned the Japanese ambassador at night)

At 2:56 AM Beijing Time on the 14th, the Foreign Ministry suddenly announced at midnight, with the vice minister Sun Weidong summoning Japanese Ambassador Kanemasa Kinoshita in accordance with instructions, raising a serious protest over the erroneous remarks of Japanese Prime Minister Gao Shizhao regarding China.

The Foreign Ministry's announcement was released at midnight, indicating that we may have approached the Japanese ambassador to China late at night on the 13th.

We should also note that the word "in accordance with instructions" appears in the Foreign Ministry's statement, which clearly indicates that this meeting with the Japanese ambassador is not just an instruction from the Foreign Ministry, but rather a directive from the central government, representing the will of our highest leadership. It shows the attitude of China towards Gao Shizhao and this incident at this moment.

In the statement, there are only three paragraphs of our side's statements, and nothing is mentioned about what the Japanese side said. Obviously, we don't care what Japan thinks or how it tries to justify itself; we just want Japan to give an explanation.

According to the Foreign Ministry's statement, Vice Minister Sun Weidong's speech can be roughly divided into three sections: explaining the background, explaining the severity of the issue, and explaining the consequences.

(Gao Shizhao made a big mistake, this time she won't easily move on)

Let's first look at the background. Vice Minister Sun Weidong stated that Gao Shizhao publicly made provocative remarks about Taiwan in the Diet, implying the possibility of "using force to intervene in Taiwan." After multiple serious negotiations with Japan, the Japanese side still did not repent and refused to withdraw its erroneous statements. China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposes this, and raised a serious protest to Japan.

That's why we emphasize this point, to prevent the Japanese from shifting the focus from the Taiwan Strait issue.

Currently, many people in the Japanese media attribute the responsibility for this "diplomatic crisis" between China and Japan to the sharp remarks of Chinese Consul General Xue Jian in Osaka. Some even claim they want to "expel" Consul General Xue Jian.

But why did Consul General Xue Jian make those remarks? Ultimately, it's because Gao Shizhao made the wrong remarks about Taiwan in the Diet first.

The Japanese criticize Consul General Xue Jian for being too harsh, but say nothing about Gao Shizhao's actions that hurt our core interests. Naturally, we must clarify the facts and not give Japan a chance to shift the focus.

Secondly, explain the severity of the issue. Gao Shizhao has indeed made a major mistake. In his speech, Vice Minister Sun Weidong mentioned four serious issues:

Severely violating international law and basic principles of international relations, seriously undermining the post-war international order, seriously violating the One-China Principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, and seriously undermining the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations.

(Gao Shizhao's remarks on Taiwan undermined the foundation of Sino-Japanese relations)

Put simply, as the Japanese Prime Minister, Gao Shizhao openly mentioned the use of force to intervene in Taiwan, which not only violates international law, but also undermines the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations. More seriously, it could lead to Sino-Japanese "diplomatic rupture." Can Gao Shizhao bear such consequences?

Vice Minister Sun Weidong also mentioned that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Taiwan.

This sentence is very important because Japan, as a defeated country, now wants to interfere in the Taiwan issue by force, threatening to start a war with the victor. What are they planning? Are they preparing to reverse the results of the victory of World War II?

If Japanese militarism remains alive, it will only face one consequence: repeating the tragic defeat of 80 years ago.

Vice Minister Sun Weidong explained the consequences: 80 years ago, the Chinese people fought for 14 years and defeated the Japanese aggressors. Today, anyone who dares to interfere in the great cause of China's unification will be met with a strong counterattack.

This statement was also mentioned by the Foreign Ministry spokesperson during the regular press conference that day. The spokesperson said, if Japan dares to use force to intervene in the Taiwan Strait, it would constitute an act of aggression, and China will certainly respond with a strong counterattack.

Vice Minister Sun Weidong repeated this message to the Japanese ambassador, but we should note that this is just diplomatic rhetoric in the Foreign Ministry's statement.

(China emphasized "strong counterattack" within a day, and even provided a Japanese translation version for overseas social platforms)

During the face-to-face negotiation between Vice Minister Sun Weidong and the Japanese ambassador, the language used by China may be more direct and explicit, so that the Japanese can understand it—daring to use force to intervene in Taiwan is an act of aggression, and we will definitely fight back against Japan.

The war is started by Japan, but when and how it ends is not up to Japan. This is the weight of "strong counterattack."

Vice Minister Sun Weidong finally reminded the Japanese side to immediately reflect, correct their mistakes, retract their malicious remarks, and not continue down the wrong path. Otherwise, all consequences will be borne by Japan.

Gao Shizhao has not yet recanted her erroneous remarks, trying to pass it off with "I will never mention it again," and then "play dead," attempting to ignore the current diplomatic crisis.

However, words once spoken cannot be taken back. Gao Shizhao's erroneous behavior has already had extremely negative effects, sending the wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" forces. How could China allow Japan to easily move on?

Except for the Foreign Ministry's strong warning and the summoning of the Japanese ambassador, the same day, the People's Daily also sounded the alarm, pointing out that Gao Shizhao's behavior was extremely despicable. This set of combined efforts by China aims to make Gao Shizhao admit her mistakes.

If Gao Shizhao refuses to retract her erroneous remarks, we will continue to increase the pressure on her. At present, Japan does not have the ability to confront China directly. Are we developing to this point just to let Japan take advantage?

Japan has never settled its historical accounts. Now, Japan not only owes old debts, but its right-wing forces' various actions also indicate that Japanese militarism is still alive.

80 years ago, China was able to defeat Japan and force its surrender. Today, China can also defeat the arrogance of Japanese right-wing forces. Let's settle both old and new grievances together.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7572426676626293282/

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