INTERNATIONAL relations experts of China strongly condemned former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso’s visitation to Taiwan, warning of Tokyo’s potential arms expansion aimed at Beijing.
Taro Aso, former Prime Minister and the current Vice President of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Japan visited Taiwan from Monday to Tuesday.
He also met with Tsai Ing Wen, William Lai, and others he also gave a speech during his stay.
Aso talked about what he called as threat from the Chinese mainland.
He also called for a posture of strong deterrence and a readiness to fight.
However, his words received criticism from Chinese experts.
“One of the most important political consensus in China-Japan relations is the joint statement on normalizing diplomatic relations between the two countries that was signed in 1972. Therein, Japan made clear that it fully understands and respects China’s position that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. What Aso was saying and doing has seriously undermined the most important consensus reached between the two sides in their relations. So I think this time he was mainly politically motivated. First, he wants to cater for some U.S. lawmakers who are fanning up the flame on the Taiwan question. Second, although he is a former prime minister [of Japan], he is still the vice president of the LDP. He attempts to stir up a new domestic ‘trend’ that will provoke confrontation between China and Japan over the Taiwan question. I think he has misunderstood the situation, the overwhelming trend of China’s reunification, and the prevailing trend of peace in the region,” said Gui Yongtao, vice director of the School of International Studies under the Peking University.
Japan once again brought up what seemed to be threats made by China to their diplomatic bluebook, a yearly report regarding the country’s foreign policy that is usually release on April, Liu Jiangyong, a professor from Tsinghua University urge for vigilance on Japan’s ambition to strengthen its military presence by exacerbating tensions and fueling escalations in the region.
“In the 2023 edition of Japan’s Diplomatic Bluebook, Japan defines the Chinese mainland as an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge, with references to Taiwan as its ‘extremely crucial partner and an important friend.’ This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Cairo Declaration. In such a year, we should pay special attention to Japan’s attempts of subversion of the post-war international laws and order. As this year also marks the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, we should be even more vigilant about whether Japan will fundamentally subvert the spirit of the contract, and engage in military expansion and war preparedness against China,” Liu said.
Last Tuesday a spokesperson from the Chinese foreign said that Beijing has made serious démarches to Tokyo.
Beijing also said it strongly condemns the former Japanese prime minister’s visit to Taiwan.
