China lodges protest with Japan over visit by Taiwan’s former leader

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – China on Wednesday said it has lodged a protest with Tokyo over a trip to Japan by Taiwan’s former leader Tsai Ing-wen.

“Tsai is the former leader of China’s Taiwan region. There is no rationale that can ever justify her trip to Japan or make it permissible, nor can they hide the trip’s real purpose—to seek foreign support for ‘Taiwan independence’,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.

Tsai’s office said she was “on a personal trip” to Japan, without sharing any other information.

"No official schedule” was planned during the ongoing trip, it added.

“Japan bears historical responsibilities on the Taiwan question and should therefore act all the more prudently on related issues. We call on Japan to earnestly abide by the one-China principle, properly handle relevant issues, not interfere in China’s internal affairs in any form, and stop sending any wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists,” said the spokesman.

Tsai served as the leader of Taiwan, claimed by China as its “breakaway province,” two times between 2016 and 2024. Taipei has insisted on its independence since 1949.

She is on her third overseas trip since leaving office last year in May.

Earlier, she traveled to Czechia, France and Belgium, and this year in May, she visited Lithuania, Denmark and the UK.