Chinese FM summons Japanese diplomat over visit of DPP official to Japan

Liu Jinsong, Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, urgently summoned Chief Minister of the Embassy of Japan in China Yokochi Akira on Friday to lodge a stern representation and strong protest over the visit to Japan by Lin Chia-lung, head of the “foreign affairs department” of Taiwan's DPP authorities.

Liu stated that the Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s interests and is fundamental to the political foundation of China-Japan relations, as well as the basic trust between the two countries. By allowing Lin to visit under the pretext of a so-called “private capacity” and providing a platform for his anti-China separatist activities, the Japanese side has sent a seriously wrong signal, Liu said.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s recovery. China urges Japan to abide by the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan and its solemn commitments on the Taiwan question, and to take immediate steps to eliminate the negative impact of this incident, Liu said. 

The Chinese Embassy in Japan also lodged a stern demarche with the Japanese side on Saturday. In a statement, the embassy said that the Taiwan question lies at the heart of China's core interests, and the one-China principle is a red line that must not be crossed, leaving no room for political manipulation. 

Despite repeated prior representations from China, the Japanese government allowed Lin Chia-lung to enter Japan and carry out blatant separatist and provocative activities, the embassy said. It emphasized that China will not tolerate this and demands that the Japanese government strictly uphold the spirit of the four China-Japan political documents and its solemn commitments on the Taiwan question. China will closely monitor Japan's actions and respond accordingly.