(MENAFN) Beijing has issued a blistering rebuke of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi following her publicized encounter with Taiwan's top representative during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering in South Korea.

Takaichi shared imagery on social platforms depicting her meeting with Lin Hsin-i, Taiwan's chief envoy to APEC, where she described exchanging pleasantries and identified him as "Senior Advisor to the Presidential Office of Taiwan."

A Chinese Foreign Ministry official accused Takaichi of intentionally arranging a meeting with "personnel of the authorities of China's Taiwan region" and promoting the interaction "hyped it on social media," according to Saturday's official statement.

The representative declared the encounter "severely violated the one-China principle" and breached "basic norms of international relations," while transmitting a "gravely wrong signal" to forces supporting "Taiwan independence."

"Those actions are egregious in nature and impact. China expresses its firm opposition and has made serious demarches and protests to Japan," the statement said.

Beijing pressed Tokyo to "reflect on and address its wrongdoings, take concrete measures to undo the negative impact, stop interfering in China's internal affairs, and act on its statement of building a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship fit for the new era."

Defense Chiefs Clash Over Maritime Disputes
In a separate confrontation, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi voiced "serious concern" regarding China's naval operations in the South China Sea during his inaugural discussion with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun in Malaysia Saturday.

Koizumi stated that "among the various aspects of Japan-China relations, the security field remains the most challenging area, and that there exist numerous outstanding issues," Japan's Defense Ministry confirmed.

"It is essential that the defense authorities of the two countries persistently engage in candid discussions and communication, without averting their eyes from specific and difficult issues," he told his Chinese counterpart.

Koizumi additionally registered "strong concerns" over Chinese maneuvers surrounding the Senkaku Islands, territories under Japanese administration but contested by China.

Both defense officials acknowledged the critical need for sustained dialogue across multiple governmental tiers.

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