China summoned a top Japanese diplomat in Beijing to express "serious concerns" regarding a string of sensitive topics, ranging from Taiwan, historical grievances, and Chinese citizens' safety in Japan. The action brings new tension to already strained relations between the two nations.
Liu Jinsong, director general of the Department of Asian Affairs in China's ministry of foreign affairs, met with Japan's chief minister of the embassy in Beijing on Wednesday. Liu showed great concern in issues related to wartime history, Taiwan, and the safety of Chinese citizens residing in Japan, the ministry said.
The summons precedes China's anniversary celebrations of the victory of World War II at home, the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Japan's actions during the war continue to be a chronic source of tension between Beijing and Tokyo, complicated by surging nationalism and a territorial dispute over the Diaoyu Islands, referred to as the Senkakus in Japan.
Relations have also been strained because of Taiwan-related events. Beijing protested last month when Taiwanese foreign minister Lin Chia-lung made a rare trip to Japan, blaming Tokyo for giving a platform for "anti-China separatist activities." China considers Taiwan to be a part of its territory and has promised to reunify it with the mainland, if not peacefully then by force.
While Japan does not officially recognize Taiwan as an independent state, it has close unofficial relations. These ties were highlighted last week when Lee Yi-yang, the head of Taiwan's de facto embassy in Japan, took part in ceremonies marking the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki a first for a Taiwanese official.
Aside from political conflicts, the security of its citizens is now a pressing concern. Chinese nationals are the largest foreign residents and proportionate number of tourists in Japan. In the recent past, Beijing has expressed concern after a string of violent attacks against Chinese citizens and residents.
In late July, the Chinese embassy in Tokyo released a security alert after two independent attacks one where two Chinese citizens were attacked with iron rods in Tokyo, and another where a 19-year-old visitor was injured and robbed in Osaka. One suspect has been arrested by Japanese police in the latter incident.
Tokyo has also shown concern for its people in China. Two weeks back, a Japanese mother and her son were attacked in the eastern city of Suzhou, and Japan had called on Beijing to keep them safe.
With historical grievances, border conflicts, Taiwan tensions, and mutual security issues all at play, the current diplomatic exchange highlights how delicate and complex China–Japan relations are.
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