Tensions between China and Japan escalated sharply this week after Beijing condemned Tokyo's plan to deploy missile units to a remote island near Taiwan, warning that Japan's actions were designed to "create regional tension and provoke military confrontation." The criticism marks the latest development in what officials on both sides describe as the worst diplomatic rupture in years, deepening an already volatile strategic environment in East Asia.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning delivered Beijing's strongest rebuke yet, stating that "Right-wing forces in Japan are ... leading Japan and the region toward disaster." She added that China "is determined and capable of safeguarding its national territorial sovereignty." Her remarks followed comments from Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who said on Sunday that plans were "steadily moving forward" to deploy a medium-range surface-to-air missile unit on Yonaguni, located roughly 68 miles off Taiwan's east coast.
Mao described the deployment as "extremely dangerous" and said it should alarm "nearby countries and the international community," particularly after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently said that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could prompt military involvement from Tokyo. Beijing responded to Takaichi's remarks with a sweeping campaign of diplomatic and economic retaliation.
In the days following her comments, China issued a travel warning urging citizens not to visit Japan, suspended Japanese movie releases, and banned Japanese seafood imports. Its defense ministry escalated further, warning in mid-November that Japan would face a "crushing" defeat if it intervened militarily in any Taiwan conflict.
The diplomatic deterioration has now spilled into aviation. Chinese airlines have canceled flights across 12 major routes linking mainland cities to Japan. According to data reported by China's state-run Global Times, cancellations through December 31 have surged by 56% compared with the same period a month earlier. Beijing attributed the reductions to low passenger volume, though analysts view the cancellations as part of a broader pressure campaign.
Additional economic actions followed. On November 19, Beijing said there was no market for Japanese seafood, intensifying strain on Japan's export sector. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Tokyo to reverse course, saying Japan must reflect on and correct its mistakes as soon as possible, "rather than stubbornly clinging to the wrong path." State news agency Xinhua quoted Wang calling Takaichi's previous comments "shocking," saying she sent "a wrong signal of attempting to intervene militarily in the Taiwan question - saying what should not be said and crossing a red line that must not be touched."
Japan has attempted to ease tensions while reaffirming its position. Tokyo acknowledges a "one-China" policy but maintains no official diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Speaking in South Africa after the G20 summit, Takaichi said, "We are not closing the door. But it's important for Japan to state clearly what needs to be said." She added she had not spoken with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during the event.
Taiwan, meanwhile, welcomed Japan's increased military posture in the region. In Taipei, Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu told lawmakers that Japan had "the right to take steps needed to protect the security of its territory." He added that Japan's enhanced military facilities near Taiwan were "basically helpful to maintaining security in the Taiwan Strait," emphasizing that Tokyo "has no territorial designs or hostility towards Taiwan."
