Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s public post of her meeting with Taiwan's Lin Hsin-i has drawn a furious "red line" warning from the CCP, in a move analysts see as a deliberate Japanese rebuke of Chinese regional influence.
GYEONGJU, South Korea – Diplomatic tensions in East Asia have escalated following a high-profile meeting on the sidelines of the 2025 APEC Summit in South Korea between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Lin Hsin-i, a senior advisor to Taiwan's presidential office.
The meeting, a rare public engagement at this level, was confirmed by Prime Minister Takaichi herself in a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which included a photograph of the two.
"On November 1, I met with Mr. Lin Hsin-i, Taiwan's representative attending the APEC conference," Takaichi wrote. "I look forward to strengthening the practical cooperation between Japan and Taiwan."
The public confirmation immediately triggered a furious response from Beijing, which accused Tokyo of a "severe violation of the One China principle."
Beijing's "Red Line" Warning
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) issued a harsh condemnation, demanding that Prime Minister Takaichi "self-reflect, correct her actions, and eliminate the negative consequences."
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that the "Taiwan issue is the core of China's core interests and a red line that cannot be crossed in China-Japan relations."
Despite the vitriolic rhetoric, Tokyo has shown no signs of backing down. The Japanese government views the contact as a legitimate interaction within the framework of regional economic cooperation, not a formal diplomatic endorsement.
A Deliberate Message to Beijing
The move is being widely interpreted by analysts as a clear and deliberate message that Japan will not allow Beijing to dictate its political influence, drawing a sharp contrast with the summit's host, South Korea.
While Seoul is increasingly seen as being constrained by Chinese economic and political pressure, Tokyo is actively asserting its independent foreign policy. This public engagement reinforces Japan's steadfast support for Taiwan, which it views as a key democratic partner in the Indo-Pacific.
This bold step is seen as part of Japan's new "strategic autonomy in the region," a foreign policy doctrine that has been encouraged by the United States. The Trump administration, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, has openly pushed for its democratic allies in Asia to form a more robust, united front to counter Beijing's expansionist influence.
Takaichi's meeting at APEC signals that Japan is not only willing to accept that role but to lead it publicly.