Japanese PM’s erroneous remarks on China’s Taiwan undermine regional stability

Politicians and commentators from several countries have criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s erroneous remarks on China’s Taiwan, saying they contradict historical facts and undermine regional stability.

At a Diet meeting in early November 2025, Takaichi claimed that the Chinese mainland’s “use of force on Taiwan” could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan and implied the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait, drawing strong criticism worldwide.

“Lesotho believes that remarks made by individual politicians should respect historical facts and the basic norms governing international relations. Lesotho’s position on the Taiwan question is clear and consistent. We firmly uphold the one-China principle and recognize that there’s only one China and that Taiwan is part of it,” said Nthati Moorosi, minister of communications, science and technology.

Zambian lawmaker Emmanuel Tembo described Takaichi’s remarks as “a revival of militarism” and a threat to international peace, urging the Japanese leader to retract her statement.

“Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks are a clear sign of aggression against [the] tides, so to speak, in other words, in militarism and a threat to international peace. The message that Japan is sending is a revival of militarism, which I think, you know, goes against the expectations of the international community. The Japanese prime minister should retract her statement,” said Tembo.

Senegalese reporter Amadou Diop said the one-China principle was a global consensus, warning that Japan’s actions amounted to interference in China’s internal affairs.

“The one-China principle is widely accepted internationally, including by Senegal. Senegal recognizes that there’s only one China and that Taiwan is part of it. Japan has to stop this kind of provocation, because it is a kind of interference action, an attempt to interfere in the Taiwan question,” said Diop.

Cristina Pecequilo, an associate professor of international politics at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, said Japan’s stance reflected a broader pattern of historical revisionism aligned with far-right conservative forces, which, she said, pushes the world toward greater instability.

“The historical revisionism in Japan is in fact part of a broader pattern of revisionism. It resonates with far-right conservative forces and is pushing the world toward greater instability. The Japanese side’s erroneous remarks reflect a perspective driven by short-term political goals. It undermines cooperative relationships that have gradually been built despite political differences,” said Pecequilo.

China is willing to strengthen communication, enhance trust, eliminate interference, and deepen cooperation with Canada to bring bilateral relations forward on a steady and sound track in solid strides under the new circumstances, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Beijing on the day.

Referring to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to China, the first by a Canadian prime minister in eight years, Wang said the trip marks a milestone in bilateral ties and signals a turning point in the relationship.

The leaders of the two countries will hold meetings and talks, which are expected to open up new prospects for bilateral relations, said Wang.

The world today is undergoing profound and complex changes, and the impact of China-Canada relations transcends the bilateral scope, Wang noted.

Wang said that China and Canada have different social systems, stemming from different historical and cultural heritage, and based on the choices of their respective people.

He urged both sides to view each other in a rational and amicable manner with an inclusive mindset, handle issues on the basis of mutual respect, focus on the agenda of cooperation, and send positive messages so as to foster optimism, inject greater confidence into the development of bilateral relations, and jointly build a new type of strategic partnership between China and Canada.

Anand said the new Canadian government attaches great importance to relations with China. She also added that Prime Minister Carney looks forward to engaging in in-depth exchanges with Chinese leaders during the visit to set the course for the development of bilateral relations, resume dialogue in various fields, pursue more mutually beneficial outcomes, enhance coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs, and further advance the strategic partnership between the two countries.