THIS DAWN — China has issued warning to Japan over the recent statements credited to its neighbour over Taiwan.
China’s Foreign Ministry, on Thursday, November 13, 2025, issued a sharp warning to Japan.
The Ministry said that Tokyo must immediately retract its politically sensitive remarks about Taiwan or face “serious consequences”.
“Japan must stop playing with fire on the Taiwan question. Those who play with fire will perish by it,” it said in a statement.
The film-like phrasing from Beijing raised the stakes in an increasingly tense dialogue over the Taiwan Strait.
A key spokesperson, Lin Jian, accused Japan of crossing China’s “red line” by suggesting possible military intervention if China attempted to use force against Taiwan.
He warned that those who play with fire will only get consumed by the fire.
At the heart of the dispute are remarks made by Japan’s Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, in parliament.
There, she said, a Chinese military move against Taiwan could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, potentially justifying collective self-defence.
“Violation of one-China principle”
China described the comments as “egregious” and “a grave violation of the one-China principle.”
It insisted that Taiwan is an internal affair.
It warned that any Japanese military involvement in the Taiwan Strait would be treated by Beijing as an act of aggression.
Tokyo, which officially observes the one-China policy while maintaining a strong security alliance with the United States, lodged diplomatic protests in response.
Japan’s Foreign Affairs officials described some of Beijing’s diplomatic language—especially from its Osaka consul-general—as “extremely inappropriate.”
Analysts say the exchange is symptomatic of eroding trust between the two countries and increasing regional risk.
This is most especially as Japan deepens security ties with the U.S., positioning itself in response to China’s rising military posture around Taiwan.
As the rhetoric intensifies, diplomatic watchers note that both sides may still seek to manage escalation.
In the meantime, though, the risk of miscalculation around the Taiwan issue appears elevated, according to observers.
