Beijing has expressed its displeasure to Tokyo over negative remarks about China made during a meeting between Japan and the United States, China’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
China’s Complaint to Japan
Liu Jinsong, China’s director-general of Asian affairs at the Chinese foreign ministry, lodged a complaint to Japan regarding comments made by the US and Japan. These comments criticised Beijing’s “provocative” behaviour in the South and East China Seas, its joint military exercises with Russia, and the rapid expansion of China’s nuclear weapons arsenal.
Urging Japan for Objectivity
Liu urged Japan to develop an objective and rational understanding of China. He emphasised the need for Japan to stop making irresponsible remarks about China’s internal affairs. This message was conveyed to the chief minister at the Japanese embassy in China on Tuesday, according to a foreign ministry statement.
Discussions on Negative Remarks
During the meeting with Yokochi Akira, Liu addressed the “negative words” made about China in recent diplomatic discussions. He noted the presence of “many fallacies, dangerous trends, and false narratives” in meeting documents. These discussions included security talks between the US and Japan, where both countries labelled China as the “greatest strategic challenge facing the region.”
Concerns from Other Countries
Additional remarks about China were made during separate discussions and meetings. A joint statement from foreign ministers of Australia, India, Japan, and the US highlighted serious concerns about intimidating and dangerous manoeuvres in the South China Sea, pointing to China as the main culprit.
Contradictions and Calls for Cooperation
Liu highlighted that Japan’s negative comments about China contradict its statements on promoting a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries. He urged Japan to stop colluding with certain countries to create confrontation in “small circles” and to work with China towards mutual goals.
With Inputs from Reuters
