Asia-Pacific

Analysis: How Japan-China Ties Remain Strained Over Taiwan and Security

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By Dolphine Chen/Fuhua Hung/Lery Hiciano

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Japanese lawmakers have met Chinese officials in Beijing in an effort to maintain bilateral dialogue, but deep disagreements remain. Tamkang University Professor Tsai Hsi-hsun tells TaiwanPlus the core problem in Japan-China relations is not simply diplomacy, but growing military and security tensions.

Japan-China Relations: Taiwan at the Center

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REPORTER:
As Japanese lawmakers meet Chinese officials in Beijing, one lawmaker says Japan is standing firm on Taiwan.

Isa Shinichi (JAPANESE LAWMAKER):  
I made it very clear that our position toward Taiwan has not changed. Of course, there are the statements Prime Minister Takaichi has made but at least as far as Taiwan is concerned, our view that things such as a peaceful resolution through dialogue are important has not changed.

It's the first visit to China by Japanese lawmakers since relations deteriorated last November over Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's remarks about a possible "Taiwan contingency." Takaichi said Chinese military action against Taiwan could pose a threat to Japan’s survival and justify Japanese military intervention. Chinese officials say relations will not improve unless Japan changes its stance on Taiwan and retracts her comments.
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Japan Reaffirms Taiwan Stance Amid Diplomatic Freeze

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REPORTER:
A Japanese lawmaker has confirmed his country's stance on Taiwan has not changed.

Isa Shinichi (JAPANESE LAWMAKER):  
However, I made it very clear that our position toward Taiwan has not changed. Of course, there are the statements Prime Minister Takaichi has made but at least as far as Taiwan is concerned our view that things such as a peaceful resolution through dialogue is important has not changed.

A delegation of Japanese lawmakers held talks with Chinese officials today. It is the first visit to China by lawmakers since the breakdown of bilateral ties last November following Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's comments on Japan's potential intervention in a "Taiwan contingency." Chinese officials stressed that unless Japan changes its stance on Taiwan and retracted Takaichi's comments, China would not change its own stance towards Japan.
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