China Warns Its Citizens Against Traveling to Japan

SadaNews - China has warned its citizens against traveling to Japan, just days after a series of exchanges of criticism and the summoning of ambassadors between the two countries following remarks made by the new Japanese Prime Minister regarding a hypothetical attack on Taiwan.

The comments made by Sanae Takaichi on November 7 were interpreted as a hint that any Chinese attack on the autonomous island, located just 100 kilometers from the closest Japanese island, could prompt military intervention from Tokyo.

On Friday, Beijing announced that it had summoned the Japanese ambassador in protest, while Tokyo stated that it had summoned the Chinese ambassador following a "inappropriate" post online that was later deleted.

Japan emphasized that its stance on Taiwan has not changed.

The Chinese embassy in Japan warned its citizens against traveling to Japan in a post on the "WeChat" application late Friday.

The post stated that "Japanese leaders have recently made glaring provocative statements regarding Taiwan, which have severely damaged the atmosphere of exchanges between the two peoples."

It added that the situation poses "serious risks to the personal safety and lives of Chinese citizens in Japan."

It continued, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese embassy and consulates in Japan officially remind Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan in the near future."

Beijing insists that Taiwan, which was occupied by Japan for decades until 1945, is part of its territory and does not rule out the use of force to control it.