In a spirited Beijing press briefing on Thursday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry publicly rebuked Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for spotlighting the so-called illegal and invalid “San Francisco Peace Treaty” while sidelining other cornerstone documents that define Japan’s postwar obligations.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun noted that by focusing on the San Francisco Peace Treaty and bypassing the Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Proclamation—both recognized as having full force under international law and reaffirmed in key bilateral agreements, including the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement and the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship—Takaichi appears to be undermining the political foundation of China-Japan relations, flouting UN authority and challenging the postwar international order.
He added that her remarks also tried to stoke the theory of undetermined status regarding the Taiwan region, a move Beijing views as a direct challenge to the one-China principle.
This diplomatic spat unfolds at a moment when Sino-Japanese engagement remains crucial across trade, technology and regional security. Observers warn that reopening debates over treaty legitimacy could create uncertainty in investor confidence and shape discussions at upcoming multilateral forums.
Beijing has called on Tokyo to reflect, retract the comments and demonstrate its commitments as a UN member through concrete actions. As both nations gear up for key economic and security dialogues in 2026, the world is watching to see whether this clash of narratives will deepen or be dialed back.
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China blasts Takaichi for highlighting illegal 'San Francisco Treaty'
cgtn.com
