ESCALATING POLITICAL RIFT
Beijing – which views self-ruled Taiwan as an inalienable part of its territory under the one-China principle – has demanded a retraction from Japan’s premier.
On Monday (Dec 1), Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian urged Japan to “learn the lessons of history, do soul searching, take seriously what it has heard from the Chinese side, simply retract the erroneous remarks as it should and take practical steps to honour its political commitments to China”.
But with neither side showing signs of backing down, analysts warned that the dispute could persist, leaving ordinary people to deal with the rising uncertainty.
The spat has also led to the postponement of Japanese film releases in China, the abrupt cancellation of concerts by Japanese musicians and the suspension of official exchanges.
A frequent traveller to Japan, Yan Jun, faced a dilemma when China advised its citizens to avoid visiting Japan. Chinese airlines proceeded to cut hundreds of Japan-bound flights this month.
“If you are really tight on time and have many urgent matters to handle, then it’s best to simplify your travel plans as much as possible,” said Yan, who added that she is still continuing with her trip to Japan.
“I have many friends, including those who have returned from Japan and those currently there. They have all told me personally that it is still safe.”
Analysts said China’s response is consistent with its usual playbook.
Chinese netizens and state media have strongly criticised Japan, though offline reactions have not reached the intensity seen in 2012, when anti-Japan protests swept many Chinese cities over disputed islands in the East China Sea.
Chong Ja Ian, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, said there have been periodic spats between Beijing and Tokyo over the years.
The economic conditions in China and Japan today differ greatly from the past, especially with China’s growth slowing, he added.
Their military balance has also shifted significantly, with China now far more capable than before, said Chong. “There are multiple calculations and also domestic concerns.”
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-japan-diplomatic-spat-japanese-restaurants-cancellations-takaichi-taiwan-5522166
