At a regular press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning highlighted a concerning trend: a recent rise in criminal cases targeting Chinese citizens in Japan. She called on Tokyo to take concrete steps to safeguard the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions.
Mao noted that Japanese police arrested five suspects last week in connection with assaults against Chinese visitors and residents. At the same time, large volumes of extreme and threatening rhetoric against China have appeared on Japanese online platforms, creating a tense atmosphere for many in the community.
Embassies and consulates often serve as safe harbours for citizens abroad, but according to Mao Ning, the Chinese embassy and consulates in Japan have been repeatedly harassed by right-wing groups both offline and online in recent weeks. These incidents have fueled anxiety among Chinese nationals travelling, studying and working in Japan.
"We urge the Japanese side to take China's concerns seriously and take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in Japan," Mao said. Her appeal underscores the importance of strong cooperation between law enforcement agencies and diplomatic missions to maintain a secure environment for all foreign nationals.
As global mobility rebounds this year, ensuring the security of overseas visitors and residents has become a shared priority. Observers say that transparent communication and joint patrols could help de-escalate tensions and reinforce trust between the two neighbors, who share deep economic and cultural ties.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
