TAIPEI: Japan has “crossed a red line” with remarks by its new leader hinting at possible military involvement in the Taiwan issue, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said on Sunday.
“It is shocking that Japan’s current leaders have openly sent the wrong signal of attempting military intervention in the Taiwan issue, said things they should not have said, and crossed a red line that must not be touched,” Wang stated. He warned that China would “resolutely respond” and stressed that all nations had a responsibility to “prevent the resurgence of Japanese militarism.”
Beijing considers self-ruled Taiwan—once a Japanese colony—as part of its own territory.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s defence ministry reported detecting eight Chinese aircraft, six naval vessels and one government ship near its waters as of 6 am Sunday. Of the eight aircraft, six crossed the median line and entered the island’s northern and southwestern air defence identification zone (ADIZ).
A day earlier, Taiwan had registered 18 Chinese sorties, seven naval vessels and a government ship operating nearby.
