By Saadet Gokce
ISTANBUL (AA) - China summoned the chief minister of the Japanese embassy in Beijing on Wednesday..
Liu Jinsong, director general of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, conveyed Beijing's “serious concern” to Yokochi Akira over issues including "history, Taiwan and the safety of Chinese citizens in Japan,” according to a statement from the ministry.
The summons came ahead of commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
Beijing refers to World War II as the war of resistance against Japanese imperialism.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry last month also summoned Yokochi to protest Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung's visit to Japan, which was described as "a seriously wrong signal."
China views Taiwan as a “breakaway province,” despite Taipei having governed itself since 1949. Beijing has vowed to reunify with the island, including by force if necessary.