CaliToday (14/11/2025): Diplomatic tensions between Asia's two largest economies have exploded, moving from a war of words to aggressive diplomatic action after China angrily summoned Japan's ambassador for a furious protest.
The move follows Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's explosive declaration that a Chinese attack on Taiwan "could be a situation that threatens Japan's survival."
International news outlets are reporting heavily on the fallout this afternoon. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it hauled in the Japanese Ambassador in Beijing on Thursday, November 13, to deliver what is known as a "serious demarche" a formal and highly aggressive diplomatic protest.
"Erroneous and Dangerous"
During the tense meeting, China's hawkish Vice Foreign Minister, Sun Weidong, delivered Beijing's furious and uncompromising response directly to the ambassador.
According to official readouts from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Sun Weidong labeled Prime Minister Takaichi's statement "erroneous and dangerous."
He stated that the remark:
Severely Violates the "One China" Principle: Breaching the foundational agreements of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations.
Grossly Interferes in China's Internal Affairs: By publicly speculating on a scenario involving Taiwan, which Beijing considers a core internal matter.
This is the strongest and most belligerent diplomatic rebuke China has issued to Japan in recent memory. Takaichi's specific use of the "threat to survival" phrase is particularly inflammatory, as this is the precise legal language required under Japan's constitution to allow its Self-Defense Forces to engage in collective self-defense.
Beijing Demands Retraction, Issues Ominous Warning
The meeting was not just a protest; it was an ultimatum.
Vice Minister Sun Weidong issued a stark demand that the Japanese side immediately and publicly retract the statement and "eliminate its pernicious influence."
Beijing concluded with a thinly veiled threat, delivering an ominous warning: If Japan fails to comply with the demand, Tokyo will be held responsible and "must bear all consequences" that arise from its provocative stance.
As of this afternoon, the Japanese government has not issued a retraction. The incident, marked by Beijing's aggressive diplomatic posture, has pushed the already-frail relationship between the two neighbors to its most dangerous breaking point in years.