Stressing the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, Japan yesterday described China as the greatest strategic challenge to the nation and the world.
Japan is facing the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II, the latest Defense of Japan white paper said, citing military threats posed by Russia, North Korea and China as major sources.
The white paper, which was approved in a Cabinet meeting and released yesterday, was based on the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy and the Defense Buildup Program that were adopted by the Japanese government in December last year.
Photo: CNA
Japan should cooperate with its allies in deterring and responding to unilateral changes to the “status quo” by force, as well as shaping a secure environment that does not tolerate such attempts, it said.
China has not ruled out uniting with Taiwan by force and has intensified military actions around Taiwan, it said.
Beijing’s behavior was partly in response to the US’ involvement in issues concerning Taiwan, such as then-US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the nation last year and the US Congress’ passage of the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act and other legislation in support of Taipei, the report said.
Comparing the military capabilities of China and Taiwan, including defense budget, army, navy and air force, and military equipment, it said that “the military balance of China and Taiwan as a whole is rapidly tilting in a direction favorable to China,” the report said.
Japan strongly urged China to refrain from attempting to unilaterally change the “status quo” in the East and South China seas, it said, adding that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are extremely important not only for Tokyo, but also for the international community.
In other developments, Japan reiterated its support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) at the “two plus two” talks between Taiwan’s and Japan’s ruling parties on Thursday.
The dialogue between the two ruling parties was launched in August 2021 and was held in Japan for the first time, which was attended by Democratic Progressive Party legislators Lo Chih-cheng (羅致政) and Kuo Kuo-wen (郭國文) and the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) foreign affairs division director Iwao Horii and national defense division director Konosuke Kokuba.
The two sides exchanged opinions on the situation in East Asia, economic security issues and Taiwan-Japan relations.
The Japanese representatives reaffirmed Tokyo support for Taiwan’s bid to join the CPTPP, as well as other international organizations, adding that they would help communicate with other members of the group.
With the next meeting scheduled to be held in Taipei, Kuo said that he hoped the dialogue could be a continual, normal exchange between the two sides.
Additional reporting by Lin Tsuei-yi
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