By Zhang Zhenye

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent fallacious remarks on Taiwan constitute a flagrant violation of the fundamental principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries under international law. Her rhetoric also runs directly counter to the solemn commitments made by the Japanese government to China, and amounts to a blatant provocation against China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Any individual or force attempting to meddle in the cross-Strait situation or obstruct China's great cause of reunification will inevitably reap the bitter consequences and ultimately be burned by the very fire they ignite.

Takaichi's comments represent a serious breach of the basic principle of international law on non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. Non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries is a cornerstone of international law and the lifeline of a stable international order. At its core lies respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all countries, and the prohibition of interfering in another country's internal affairs under any pretext. The UN General Assembly has, over the years, adopted a series of resolutions that further elaborate on the specific implications of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. The Declaration on the Inadmissibility of Intervention and Interference in the Internal Affairs of States, adopted in 1981, sets out fourteen core obligations of non-interference. Among them, it emphasizes “the duty of a state to refrain from the promotion, encouragement or support, direct or indirect, of rebellious or secessionist activities within other states, under any pretext whatsoever, or any action which seeks to disrupt the unity or to undermine or subvert the political order of other states.”

The Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China and how to resolve it is a matter for the Chinese. It brooks no foreign interference. The Cairo Declaration jointly issued by China, the US and the UK in 1943 stipulates clearly that all the territories Japan has stolen from the Chinese, such as Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, shall be restored to China. It is reiterated in the Potsdam Proclamation signed by China, the US and the UK in 1945, and subsequently recognized by the Soviet Union, that “the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out.” In September of the same year, Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender, in which it promised that it would faithfully fulfill the obligations laid down in the Potsdam Proclamation. In 1971, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, restoring the legitimate seat of the People's Republic of China at the United Nations. It is clarified that there is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing China. This resolution has been widely recognized by the international community. Today, all 183 countries that have established diplomatic relations with China acknowledge the one-China principle. Takaichi's fallacious remarks on Taiwan completely ignore historical facts and the basic norms of international law. These remarks constitute a typical act of interfering in China's internal affairs and fully expose her entrenched right-wing stance and inherently provocative nature.

What is even more deplorable is that her statements gravely violate the solemn commitments made by the Japanese government and run counter to the fundamental principle of estoppel in international law. Japan has repeatedly affirmed the principles set out in the four political documents, including the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, that it recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government representing China. These commitments carry clear legal effect under international law. Takaichi has made erroneous remarks concerning Taiwan and has shown no remorse, refusing to retract them. Such behavior gravely undermines the post-war international order, seriously violates the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, and damages the political foundation of China–Japan relations. It has also inflicted severe harm on the feelings of the Chinese people and stands in stark contradiction to the political commitments the Japanese government has made to date, which is extremely abominable both in nature and implication. Looking back on history, Japan has repeatedly used the so-called survival-threatening situation as a pretext to launch wars of aggression. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender. We urge Japan to face history squarely, respect facts, abide by international law and the four political documents between the two countries, and stop and correct its erroneous words and deeds on the Taiwan question. It must not allow itself to be hijacked by the narrow self-interest of a handful of short-sighted politicians.

Those who act in bad faith will ultimately destroy themselves. The Chinese people have rock-solid determination and unshakable will to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Should Japan dare to take reckless actions or even attempt to intervene militarily in the Taiwan Strait, it will inevitably crash into the Great Wall of steel formed by the People's Liberation Army and pay a heavy price.