China has formally pushed back against recent remarks from Japan at the United Nations, with its envoy submitting a detailed letter to Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the UN, wrote that Japan’s arguments were unfounded and avoided addressing the core issues at stake. The letter will be circulated to all member states as an official General Assembly document.
Fu said China noted that Japan’s UN representative had written to the secretary general on November 24, offering what he described as misleading claims while accusing China without basis. He said China firmly rejected these statements and felt it necessary to clarify its position.
According to Fu, the current tensions between the two countries stem from comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a parliamentary session on November 7. Takaichi suggested that a Taiwan conflict could pose a survival-level threat to Japan, implying the possibility of military involvement. Fu said these comments challenged the outcomes of the Second World War and the post-war order and violated the principles of the UN Charter.
Fu also questioned Japan’s assertion that it maintains a consistent position on Taiwan. He said China has repeatedly asked what this position actually entails but has never received a clear explanation. He called on Japan to provide an accurate and complete account of its stance to the international community.
The envoy said foundational documents such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and Japan’s Instrument of Surrender clearly established China’s sovereignty over Taiwan and Japan’s obligation to return territories seized during its wartime expansion. He noted that these documents form the basis of the current international system. He also cited the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement in which Japan recognized the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China and expressed understanding of China’s position on Taiwan.
Fu argued that recent remarks by Takaichi contradicted this long-standing commitment and questioned how Japan could expect to maintain credibility globally. He also rejected Japan’s claim that its approach is solely defensive, saying that linking Japan’s national survival to events in Taiwan implied intentions that went beyond a defensive posture.
The letter further criticized Japan for what Fu described as ongoing adjustments to its security strategy, including increased defense spending, relaxed controls on arms exports and discussions around nuclear principles. He said these developments suggest Japan is moving away from its post war defense framework.
Fu concluded that Japan should reaffirm the one China principle and fully uphold the political agreements between the two countries. He said Japan must withdraw the remarks that triggered the dispute and take steps to rebuild trust. Otherwise, he said Japan would need to accept responsibility for any resulting consequences.
