China's Foreign Ministry announced countermeasures on Monday against Shigeru Iwasaki, former chief of Japan's Self-Defense Forces Joint Staff, for colluding with Taiwan independence separatist forces. The sanctions include freezing his assets in China and prohibiting Chinese organizations and individuals from transacting or cooperating with him. The ministry stressed that the Taiwan question is a red line that must not be crossed.
According to a decree issued by the Foreign Ministry, the sanctions took effect on Monday, including the freezing of Shigeru Iwasaki's movable and immovable properties and all other types of assets in China. Chinese organizations and individuals are prohibited from conducting transactions or cooperating with Iwasaki, who will not be issued Chinese visas or allowed to enter China.
The ministry stated that the measures were imposed under China's Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, as Iwasaki has seriously violated the one-China principle and the four China-Japan political documents by openly colluding with Taiwan independence separatist forces. This constitutes serious interference in China's internal affairs and undermines its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a news conference in Beijing: "The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests and is the red line that must not be crossed. China firmly opposes Iwasaki taking the post of the so-called 'political consultant' of the Taiwan authorities."
China has protested to the Japanese side more than once, but the former official refused to reflect on and correct his wrongdoings. Instead, he continued to collude with separatist forces and make provocations, triggering the sanctions. The incident highlights tensions between China and Japan over Taiwan, with China reaffirming its firm stance on safeguarding national sovereignty.
