(MENAFN) Beijing has issued a stark warning that any military action by Japan in a potential Taiwan conflict would be deemed an act of war and trigger a powerful counterattack. The escalating tensions follow provocative statements from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who recently floated the possibility of Tokyo's armed intervention in cross-strait hostilities.

During parliamentary testimony last week, Takaichi indicated that Chinese efforts to seize control of the democratically-governed island by force might constitute a "survival-threatening situation" under Japan's security framework, potentially justifying military action by Tokyo. The declaration represented an unprecedented shift from past Japanese administrations, which carefully avoided articulating specific Taiwan contingencies in public discourse.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian delivered a blistering rebuke on Wednesday, characterizing Takaichi's statements as "blatantly provocative" and asserting they breach the one-China policy acknowledging Beijing's territorial claim over Taiwan.
"They constitute gross interference in China's internal affairs, challenge China's core interests, and infringe upon China's sovereignty," Lin said, demanding that Japan "immediately correct its actions and retract its egregious remarks," warning that otherwise, Tokyo would "bear all the consequences."

Lin drew parallels to early 20th-century history, when Japan invoked so-called "existential crises" as pretexts for military expansion and atrocities throughout Asia. He implied Takaichi's recent declarations revived that dangerous precedent, cautioning her against repeating "the mistakes of militarism" or becoming an "enemy of the Chinese and Asian people."

The spokesman emphasized that Beijing's approach to resolving the Taiwan question remains a domestic affair, declaring that any Japanese interference would represent "an act of aggression" and provoke China to "retaliate forcefully."

In response to Takaichi's controversial address, Beijing also summoned Japan's diplomatic representative to lodge formal objections against what Chinese authorities branded "extremely malicious" commentary.

Though Takaichi has declined to walk back her position, she has sought to soften its impact, characterizing her comments as hypothetical worst-case analysis and promising to "refrain from making explicit statements on specific scenarios" going forward.

Takaichi made history last month as Japan's inaugural female prime minister. A staunch conservative, she advocates constitutional reform to eliminate pacifist restrictions, enhanced military capabilities, deeper strategic cooperation with the US and Taiwan, and a more confrontational posture toward China.

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