China Warns Japan Could Become "a Battlefield" Over Taiwan

Relations between China and Japan have sharply deteriorated due to comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan. In response, Beijing has resorted to harsh rhetoric, warning that "the entire country could become a battlefield" if Japan interferes in the situation in the Taiwan Strait.

The tension began after the Japanese Prime Minister stated that Tokyo could consider a Chinese attack on Taiwan as an "existential threat" to Japan and order its armed forces to intervene.

In response, the social media platform "Yuyuantantian," which is linked to Chinese state media and often expresses the official position, warned that Beijing is "fully prepared for a serious response." The suspension of economic, diplomatic, and military ties, as well as trade restrictions, were mentioned among the possible sanctions. A few hours later, this threat was reinforced by a publication in the "People's Liberation Army Daily," in which a state-affiliated scientist warned that in the event of an intervention by the Japanese armed forces, "the entire country could become a battlefield."

To avoid further escalation of the situation, Japan is sending a high-ranking envoy to Beijing. The head of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Masaaki Kanai, will begin negotiations with the Chinese side on Tuesday. His mission is to convince Beijing that Prime Minister Takaichi's statements do not mean a deviation from Tokyo's previous policy and a change in the official position on the Taiwan issue.