During the 20th round of China-Russia strategic security consultations in Moscow, the two sides exchanged views on Japan and reached a high degree of consensus, vowing to uphold World War II victory outcomes and oppose any whitewashing of colonial aggression. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian urged Japan to retract erroneous remarks on Taiwan and take concrete actions to enable normal exchanges.
On December 3, the 20th round of China-Russia strategic security consultations took place in Moscow, co-chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. The two sides updated each other on issues related to Japan and coordinated positions, reaching a high degree of consensus. The Foreign Ministry stated, 'The two sides agreed to resolutely uphold the outcomes of World War II victory achieved with sacrifice and blood, firmly oppose any attempts to whitewash colonial aggression, and resolutely counter any attempts to revive fascism or Japanese militarism.'
Wang Yi highlighted that the mechanism is an important channel for in-depth communication on major international security and strategic stability issues, and a key platform for strategic coordination to safeguard core interests. This year, the two countries held high-level exchanges commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. He urged continued use of the mechanism to strengthen strategic communication and coordination against external challenges.
Shoigu noted that amid complex changes in the international geopolitical landscape and rising global security challenges, China and Russia need to enhance strategic alignment. Russia firmly adheres to the one-China principle and supports China's positions on Taiwan, Xizang, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong. It is willing to implement the consensus of the two heads of state, intensify bilateral cooperation, and promote a more just and reasonable multipolar world.
In a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Wang Yi called for further coordination to 'resolutely curb the provocative acts of Japan's far-right forces that undermine the region's peace and stability and attempt to remilitarize.' Lavrov reaffirmed Russia's adherence to the one-China principle and support for China's stance on Taiwan, expressing readiness to uphold the UN Charter's purposes under frameworks like the UN, Security Council, APEC, SCO, and BRICS, while safeguarding national interests and international stability.
Regarding Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan on November 7 in parliament, China's UN representative Fu Cong sent a letter to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on November 21, prompting a response from Japan's UN ambassador Kazuyuki Yamazaki. China sent a second letter on Monday, firmly rebutting Yamazaki's arguments and elaborating China's position. Lin Jian, at a regular briefing, said Japan's letter is 'full of erroneous views and hypocritical lies,' urging Japan to reflect on its history, correct mistakes, fulfill obligations as a defeated WWII nation, and honor commitments through actions.
Lin stressed that Taiwan is Chinese territory and the Taiwan issue is China's internal affair, brooking no external interference. Takaichi's linking of a 'Taiwan contingency' to Japan's 'survival-threatening situation,' implying possible use of force against China, contradicts Japan's claimed 'exclusively defense-oriented' policy. Japan must withdraw the prime minister's erroneous remarks and stop harming bilateral goodwill.
The remarks have led to fallout, with Nikkei Asia reporting that 904 of 5,548 scheduled China-to-Japan flights for December have been canceled as of Thursday, accounting for 16 percent. Following China's travel warning amid escalating tensions from Takaichi's comments, Adora Cruises announced route changes for Q1 2026, suspending Japan-bound voyages for two ships and shifting to South Korea and Southeast Asia. Chinese tourists, who account for about 20 percent of Japan's inbound spending, are vital to its tourism sector.
