Holiday Ayo - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's statement on Taiwan crossed the line. Wang said Takaichi's statement was extremely shocking.

"It is shocking that the current Japanese leader openly sends the wrong signal about military intervention in the Taiwan issue, saying things they shouldn't say, and crossing a line that shouldn't be touched," Wang said in a statement posted on the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website, as quoted by AP on Monday (November 24).

Wang said China must respond firmly to Japan's actions and that all countries have a responsibility to prevent the resurgence of Japanese militarism.

Takaichi said earlier this month that a Chinese attack on Japan could threaten national security and could be grounds for a military response. Takaichi's statement has strained relations between the two countries.

China has even sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticizing Takaichi's gross violation of international law and diplomatic norms.

"If Japan dares to engage in armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait situation, it would be an act of aggression," China's Permanent Representative to the UN, Fu Cong, said in the letter.

"China will firmly exercise its right to self-defense in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, and firmly defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," Fu added.

For Beijing, Taiwan is a Chinese-administered territory, capable of being annexed by force if necessary.

China objects to the involvement of other countries in Taiwan, particularly the US, Taiwan's main arms supplier.

Taiwan is also a US ally in Asia, including Japan and the Philippines.

Takaichi's stance is considered firmer than that of previous prime ministers. Previous prime ministers had expressed concern about China's threats to Taiwan, but never publicly stated how Japan should respond.

Takaichi refused to retract his statement on Taiwan but stated that he would avoid discussing specific scenarios in the future.