China condemns Japan's missile deployment plan near Taiwan

China has strongly condemned Japan's reported strategy to deploy missiles on an island close to Taiwan, denouncing it as a highly provocative act. The warning was delivered by a spokesperson for China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, who stated that positioning offensive weapons near Taiwan constitutes an "extremely dangerous move." This escalation in the East China Sea is closely monitored by global observers, including Türkiye, which has strategic interests in maintaining stability across Asia.

Historical and Legal Objections

The Chinese official invoked historical and legal arguments to challenge Japan's plans. He referenced the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation, which he stated prohibits Japan from rearming, and cited Japan's own pacifist constitution that mandates an exclusively defense-oriented policy. This, according to Beijing, makes the potential missile deployment a breach of international agreements and Japan's foundational legal principles.

A Firm Stance on Sovereignty

Reaffirming its core position, China declared it will never permit external forces to interfere in what it considers its internal affairs concerning Taiwan. The spokesperson explicitly stated, "Taiwan is China's Taiwan," and voiced strong opposition to what was described as a "resurgence of Japanese militarism," linking the current dispute to historical grievances.

Widening Diplomatic and Economic Fallout

The missile plan is the latest incident in a rapidly deteriorating relationship. Tensions were already heightened following recent remarks by a Japanese official suggesting that an attack on Taiwan could trigger Japan's right to collective self-defense. In response, Beijing has reportedly taken economic measures, including a ban on Japanese seafood imports and the postponement of a trilateral cultural meeting, signaling that the diplomatic dispute is having tangible economic consequences.