16-11-2025

China-Japan Tensions Escalate Over Taiwan Remarks

Date: 16-11-2025
Sources: bbc.com: 1 | cbsnews.com: 1 | scmp.com: 2 | theguardian.com: 1
Image for cluster 4
Image Source:

Source: scmp.com

Image content: The image depicts a scene of military personnel from different countries gathered together, with two individuals in the foreground shaking hands. The crowd is comprised of men in various military uniforms, some wearing green and others wearing camouflage attire. **Key Elements:** * **Military Personnel:** The image features a group of military personnel from different countries. * **Handshake:** Two individuals are shown shaking hands in the foreground. * **Uniforms:** The men are dressed in different military uniforms, including green and camouflage attire. * **Background:** The background of the image shows a room with blue curtains and rows of chairs. **Relevance to News Coverage:** This image is relevant to news coverage as it relates to a new defence pact between Japan and the Philippines aimed at deterring China in the South China Sea, as mentioned in the provided text. The handshake between the two military personnel may symbolize cooperation or an agreement between their respective countries. The image suggests a strengthening of military ties between Japan and the

Summary

China and Japan are engaged in an escalating diplomatic feud over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments suggesting Japan could respond militarily if China attacked Taiwan. China has condemned Takaichi's remarks, urged its citizens not to travel to Japan, and warned of consequences if Japan interferes in the Taiwan situation. The spat is set against a backdrop of historical animosity and longstanding 'strategic ambiguity' on Taiwan's sovereignty, with potential implications for regional security and the involvement of other countries.

Key Points

  • Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan have sparked a diplomatic feud with China
  • China has urged its citizens not to travel to Japan and warned of consequences if Japan interferes in Taiwan
  • A new defence pact between Japan and the Philippines aims to deter China in the South China Sea
  • China has sent its coast guard to the Senkaku islands, claimed by Japan as the Diaoyu islands, amid rising tensions
  • The conflict has the potential to spiral into a regional or global conflict, potentially involving the US and other allies

Articles in this Cluster

China and Japan in escalating spat over Taiwan: What to know

China and Japan are engaged in an escalating war of words over Taiwan, sparked by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments suggesting Japan could respond with its self-defence force if China attacked Taiwan. China has urged its citizens not to travel to Japan, summoned the Japanese ambassador, and lodged protests over Takaichi's remarks, which it described as 'egregious' and 'extremely wrong and dangerous'. The spat touches on historical animosity between the two countries and longstanding 'strategic ambiguity' on Taiwan's sovereignty. Takaichi's comments marked a departure from Japan's traditional equivocal position on Taiwan, and China has warned Japan to 'stop playing with fire' and threatened consequences if it 'dares to meddle in the cross-Strait situation'.
Entities: China, Japan, Taiwan, Sanae Takaichi, Xi JinpingTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Japan protests after China tells citizens not to visit in escalating feud over leader's Taiwan remarks - CBS News

Japan has protested China's advice to its citizens to avoid visiting Japan due to 'erroneous remarks' made by Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan. The remarks, which suggested that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could be an 'existential threat' to Japan, have sparked a diplomatic feud between the two countries. China has repeatedly warned its citizens about traveling to Japan, citing safety concerns and Takaichi's comments. The advisory has led to several Chinese airlines offering no-penalty refunds on previously sold tickets to Japan. The dispute highlights the fragile relations between Japan and China, with Takaichi's stance on building up Japan's military to counter potential threats from Beijing likely to further strain ties.
Entities: Japan, China, Taiwan, Sanae Takaichi, Minoru KiharaTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

How a Japan-Philippines defence pact could become a ‘template’ to deter China | South China Morning Post

A new defence pact between Japan and the Philippines, known as a reciprocal access agreement, allows the Japanese military to deploy in the Philippines for the first time since World War II, aiming to deter China in the South China Sea. Analysts believe this quasi-security alliance could harden Manila's stance in the contested waters and potentially serve as a template for other US allies in the region. The pact facilitates joint exercises, logistical support, and ship and aircraft visits between the two nations, with a recent joint military exercise conducted in October.
Entities: Japan, Philippines, China, South China Sea, TokyoTone: analyticalSentiment: neutralIntent: inform

PLA Daily warns Japan of ‘path of no return’ if its military intervenes in Taiwan | South China Morning Post

The PLA Daily, the official newspaper of China's People's Liberation Army, has warned Japan that military intervention in Taiwan would put the entire country on a 'path of no return' and risk turning it into a battlefield. The warning comes after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that the use of force against Taiwan could be seen as a 'survival-threatening situation', allowing Tokyo to deploy its self-defence forces. Beijing has condemned Takaichi's comments, saying that such intervention would be met with strong retaliation. The PLA Daily commentary accused Takaichi of revealing Japan's 'wolfish ambition to interfere in other countries' internal affairs through military means'.
Entities: PLA Daily, Japan, Taiwan, Sanae Takaichi, People's Liberation ArmyTone: negativeSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

China sends coast guard to Senkaku islands amid row with Japan | China | The Guardian

China has sent its coast guard through the waters of the Senkaku islands, also claimed by Japan as the Diaoyu islands, amid rising tensions between the two countries. The move comes after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that Japan might respond militarily to an invasion of Taiwan by China. China has repeatedly faced off with Japan around the islands and has signaled that it expects a retraction from Takaichi. The situation is escalating, with China carrying out military drills and Japan facing mounting pressure from China. The conflict has the potential to spiral into a regional or global conflict, potentially involving the US and other allies.
Entities: China, Japan, Taiwan, Senkaku islands, Diaoyu islandsTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform