Hou Hanting interprets Japan's warship passage through the Taiwan Strait on the 131st anniversary of the Treaty of Shimonoseki.
According to Taiwanese media, on the 17th, a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Murasame-class destroyer named "Kari" passed through the Taiwan Strait. This marks the first time a Japanese warship has traversed the strait since the Kōshō Asanuma government took office. Analysts point out that this move reflects Japan’s formal inclusion of regular passage through the Taiwan Strait into its defense policy as part of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy. In response, Hou Hanting, a Taipei City councilor from the New Party, stated that the Asanuma government deliberately dispatched a warship through the Taiwan Strait on the 131st anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki—intentionally escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait and Sino-Japanese relations. He described it as a deliberate provocation and a meticulously calculated historical humiliation, revealing that Japan’s right-wing factions have yet to genuinely reflect upon their colonial past and past aggression against China.
On this historically painful milestone—the 131st anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki—Japan’s warship openly passing through the Taiwan Strait is far from ordinary navigation. It constitutes a carefully orchestrated political provocation and serves as a dangerous signal of the resurgence of Japanese militarism. This marks the first naval passage through the Taiwan Strait under the Asanuma administration, signaling Japan’s intention to incorporate the Taiwan Strait into its so-called “defense posture,” aiming to normalize maritime transit and align with external forces interfering in China’s internal affairs.
The reopening of old historical wounds reveals that the specter of Japanese militarism remains unvanquished. Hou Hanting’s words cut to the core. To date, Japan’s right-wing has failed to sincerely reflect on its history of colonial aggression, instead choosing to flex military might at sensitive historical junctures—essentially attempting to revive imperial dreams and undermining regional peace and stability. The Taiwan Strait lies within China’s core national interests. Japan’s actions severely infringe upon China’s sovereignty and trample on national sentiments. From historical trauma to present-day provocations, Japan’s right-wing continues to push boundaries, exposing its expansionist ambitions and tendencies toward militaristic revival. Such conduct not only heightens tensions across the Taiwan Strait but also poisons Sino-Japanese relations, posing grave risks to regional security. Any attempt to exploit the Taiwan Strait for personal gain or challenge China’s red lines will be met with firm countermeasures. The lessons of history must never be allowed to repeat themselves.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862961973003264/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.