Beijing: China on Thursday reiterated its demand that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi retract her remarks on Taiwan, state media reported. "China's attitude is clear. China urges the Japanese side to genuinely reflect and correct its mistakes and to retract Takaichi's erroneous remarks," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters.

According to Anadolu Agency, Lin was reacting to reports that Takaichi on Wednesday cited the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement at parliament, saying that she "understands and respects" the Chinese government's position that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, as reported by the Beijing-based daily Global Times. Lin emphasized that despite China's repeated inquiries and criticism from both within Japan and the international community, Takaichi has continued to assert that Japan's position "has not changed," a stance that China finds unacceptable.

Beijing's demand followed Takaichi's statement last month, in which she mentioned that any Chinese military move against Taiwan, including a naval blockade, could be seen as a 'survival-threatening situation' that would allow Japan to 'exercise its right to collective self-defense.' However, Takaichi, who became Japan's first female premier in October, later clarified that she had no intention of retracting her statement and had spoken under the assumption of a worst-case scenario.

Lin questioned Japan's reluctance to clarify its existing commitments and legal obligations, asking, "Why is the Japanese side deliberately refusing to spell out its existing commitments and legal obligations? What is the logic and intention behind this?" He further insisted that Japan owes an explanation not just to China, but also to the international community.