Japan can't expect to make any progress while hurting feelings: China on premier's Taiwan remarks

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - China said Thursday that Japan cannot expect to make any progress while also hurting feelings, as the fallout continues in the wake of the Japanese premier’s remarks on Taiwan.

Tokyo cannot expect "to gain benefits while simultaneously damaging China's feelings. This is not the right way to engage with China," Commerce Ministry spokeswoman He Yongqian told reporters when asked if Beijing has notified Tokyo of a suspension of aquatic imports from Japan.

Takaichi's remarks about China "have sparked strong public outrage in China,” He said, urging Japan to "immediately correct its erroneous practices."

On whether Beijing is considering taking economic countermeasures against relevant Japanese individuals or entities, He added that "if Japan persists in its wrong course, China will resolutely take necessary measures," as Japan will bear "all the consequences.”

Diplomatic tensions between the two countries rose after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Nov. 7 that any Chinese military action against Taiwan could constitute a "survival-threatening situation," thus allowing Japan to "exercise its right to collective self-defense."

Beijing slammed the statement and urged Tokyo to retract it. China has since taken several retaliatory steps, including issuing travel and study advisories warning its citizens against going to Japan.

Japan’s top government spokesman Minoru Kihara has stressed that Tokyo continues to uphold a 1972 joint communiqué, under which Japan recognized China and stated it "fully understands and respects" Beijing’s position that Taiwan is an "inalienable part" of its territory.

On Wednesday, citing Japanese government sources, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported that Beijing conveyed to Tokyo that it will suspend imports of Japanese seafood.