Full Breakdown
China’s Wang Yi urges Japan to correct Taiwan remarks and normalize ties
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Core Event
On September 28, 2026, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Takeshi Iwaya, president of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade (JAPIT), in Beijing. Wang said bilateral relations were in a “severe situation” and needed to be normalized, urging Japan to correct the “erroneous words and deeds” concerning Taiwan.
Background & Context
The meeting follows Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s parliamentary comments last November describing a Taiwan emergency, which Beijing condemned as a suggestion that Japan would side with the United States in defending the island. China has also criticized Japan’s recent defence-building policies as “neo-militarism.” The visit coincides with the 80th anniversary of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (Tokyo Trials) and comes as the two sides look toward the 55th anniversary of the 1972 diplomatic normalization next year.
Key Figures & Groups
- Wang Yi — Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China.
- Takeshi Iwaya — Former Japanese foreign minister, president of JAPIT, leading a roughly 50-member delegation that includes corporate executives.
- Sanae Takaichi — Prime Minister of Japan, whose November remarks sparked the diplomatic row.
- Yohei Kono — Late former Japanese foreign minister, remembered for confronting Japan’s wartime past.
Official Statements & Responses
The Chinese foreign ministry released Wang’s remarks, emphasizing that Japan must learn from history and adopt an objective view of China to avoid further deterioration of ties. Iwaya described the current state of Sino-Japanese relations as “concerning” and pledged to carry forward Kono’s legacy by steering the relationship back toward the original intent of the four political documents that underlie the bilateral partnership.
What’s Next
The JAPIT delegation will remain in Beijing for four days, seeking meetings with senior Chinese officials. During a previous visit in June, the group held talks with Premier Li Qiang. The delegation hopes to use the upcoming anniversary of diplomatic normalization as a platform for renewed cooperation.