China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Germany’s top diplomat that Japan is threatening China militarily, calling the actions “completely unacceptable.” The remarks came after a Chinese fighter jet reportedly aimed its radar at Japanese military aircraft. Japan condemned the act as dangerous, while China blamed Japan for provoking its navy.
Relations have worsened in recent weeks after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned that Japan could respond to any Chinese action against Taiwan that threatened Japan’s security. Wang criticized Japan’s leader for making “reckless remarks on hypothetical situations on Taiwan” and accused Tokyo of exploiting the issue to provoke China.
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Wang also referenced historical context, saying that Japan, as a defeated nation, should act with greater caution. He accused Japan of using Taiwan—a territory it colonized from 1895 to 1945—to stir trouble. China maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and that this claim is “unequivocally and irreversibly affirmed by historical and legal facts.”
Japan disputes China’s claims and said the radar incident was dangerous and unnecessary. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stressed that the intermittent radar illumination threatened flight safety. Tokyo has also raised concerns over China’s lack of response through the bilateral hotline established in 2018.
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The incident highlights rising tensions in East Asia, as both countries navigate historical grievances and regional security concerns. Analysts warn that repeated military encounters near the Taiwan Strait could escalate into broader conflicts if not carefully managed.