China has taken its escalating dispute with Japan over Taiwan to the United Nations, accusing Tokyo of threatening armed intervention. Beijing warned it will defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity under international law. The move marks China’s strongest response yet in the two-week-old diplomatic crisis.
The dispute erupted after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo. China called the statement a “grave violation of international law” and diplomatic norms. UN Ambassador Fu Cong sent a letter to Secretary-General António Guterres demanding Japan retract its remarks.
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China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to assert control. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s claim and insists its people alone can decide the island’s future. Fu warned that any Japanese armed intervention would be considered an act of aggression.
The spat has spilled beyond diplomacy, affecting trade and cultural exchanges. China said Japanese actions have “severely damaged” trade cooperation, while Japanese concerts in China were canceled. Beijing has also referenced historical grievances, including wartime atrocities and postwar treaties, to strengthen its legal arguments.
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Analysts say China relies on the Potsdam and Cairo declarations to justify its sovereignty claims over Taiwan, though many nations view these as non-binding. Taiwan’s seat at the UN shifted to Beijing in 1971, reinforcing the current political complexity. Experts warn the dispute increases regional tensions and tests the limits of international law.