Taiwan’s PM arrives in Japan after 52 years, China enraged by ‘secret’ visit; why is the Dragon irritated?

Taipei: Taiwanese Prime Minister Cho Jung-tai’s visit to Japan has sparked a new political uproar in Asian countries. China has reacted sharply to the visit, accusing it of having “nefarious intentions.” Beijing says the visit is being disguised as a private visit to promote Taiwanese independence.

According to reports, Taiwan’s Prime Minister visited Japan over the weekend to support the Taiwanese team in the World Baseball Classic. However, the Taiwanese government clarified that the visit was purely private and unrelated to any official diplomatic activity. This was the first such visit since 1972.

According to Taiwanese media, this is the first time a sitting Taiwanese prime minister has visited Japan since formal diplomatic ties between Tokyo and Taipei were severed in 1972.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun accused Cho Jung-tae of promoting pro-independence activities “secretly and secretly.” He warned that Japan could pay a price for such “provocations.”

Japan told private visit

Japan has tried to downplay the political significance of the entire matter. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minoru Kihara, said Tokyo considers the visit a private one and that no official meetings took place between the Taiwanese prime minister and Japanese government officials.

Although Japan and Taiwan do not have formal diplomatic relations, they have strong economic, cultural, and informal political ties.

Taiwan’s answer to China

Taiwan has rejected China’s criticism, saying its leaders have every right to travel to and interact with other countries. Taipei says China’s claim to sovereignty over Taiwan is baseless and that the island’s future will be decided by its people.

After returning from Japan, Cho Jung-tae also said that his trip was purely personal and aimed to support the Taiwan national baseball team.

Historically complex relationships

Taiwan and Japan have had a complex relationship throughout history. Japan ruled Taiwan as a colony from 1895 until the end of World War II in 1945.

Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, the two countries maintain a strong economic partnership and cultural exchange. In 2022, Lai Ching-te, then Taiwan’s Vice President, visited Tokyo to pay his respects after Shinzo Abe’s assassination.

Why is China angry?

Beijing has long considered Taiwan part of its territory and opposed any international involvement. China says even informal or symbolic contacts between Taiwanese leaders and foreign governments could undermine its “one China” principle.

This is the reason why China has often reacted strongly to the foreign visits of Taiwanese leaders and the same was seen this time too.