Earlier this month, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi surprised observers with remarks suggesting that if armed actions occurred in the Taiwan region, Tokyo might launch a military response. The comments mark a shift in Japan’s security posture on cross-strait tensions.
In a commentary published by CGTN’s First Voice, state media called the proposal “dangerously provocative” and “fundamentally perverse,” warning that it reduces regional stability to hanging by a thread.
A Reckless Fantasy
According to the commentary, the issue is not a simple democracy versus authoritarianism debate but one of sovereignty versus secession. Framing the situation as a moral binary, the piece argues, overlooks the international consensus on the one-China principle, which is enshrined in UN resolutions recognizing the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China.
CGTN’s First Voice also highlighted Japan’s historical role as an occupier of the Taiwan region from 1895 to 1945, calling any claim to defend the island’s democracy hypocritical and offensive to residents of Taiwan, who do not need Tokyo to speak for them.
Looking Ahead
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the restoration of the Taiwan region to Chinese jurisdiction. The commentary warns that today, 1.4 billion residents of the Chinese mainland will not brook interference in China’s reunification cause.
As Tokyo and Beijing navigate these fraught discussions, analysts say the debate underscores deep-seated historical grievances and the enduring power of the one-China principle in shaping Asia-Pacific security.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
