China's Wang tells ex-Japan minister bilateral ties need to be normalized
China's top diplomat Wang Yi met with a Japanese trade delegation to discuss the current diplomatic deadlock between the two nations. Wang criticized Japan's recent stance on Taiwan and urged the country to reflect on its historical military aggression.
Why it matters
The meeting highlights the ongoing geopolitical friction between China and Japan, specifically regarding Taiwan and historical grievances, which impacts regional stability.
BEIJING - China's top diplomat Wang Yi on Monday told former Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya in Beijing that bilateral ties currently face a severe situation and need to be "normalized," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
Iwaya is visiting China as the head of a delegation from a Japanese trade promotion body in a bid to help break the deadlock in the two countries' relationship amid a monthslong diplomatic row over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on a Taiwan emergency.
Wang urged Japan to "correct the erroneous words and deeds" of its leader on the Taiwan issue as soon as possible, the ministry added, referring to Takaichi's parliamentary comments last November.
Beijing has balked at her suggestion that Japan would act in support of its security ally, the United States, in the event of an attack on the self-ruled democratic island claimed by China.
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