Update: China strongly protests entry of Japan Self-Defense Forces vessel into Taiwan Strait: FM spokesperson

Xinhua
17 Apr 2026, 15:45 GMT+10

BEIJING, April 17 (Xinhua) -- The entry of a Japan Self-Defense Forces vessel into the Taiwan Strait severely threatens China's sovereignty and security, and China firmly opposes it and has lodged strong protest with Japan, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Friday.

Guo said at a regular press briefing that the Chinese military has handled the entry in accordance with laws and regulations.

Noting that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan have already inflicted serious damage on China-Japan relations, Guo said Japan's dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces vessel into the Taiwan Strait to brandish its military might and engage in deliberate provocation is compounding the error.

"It once again exposes the dangerous attempt of certain individuals in Japan to militarily interfere in the Taiwan Strait and undermine peace and stability across the Strait," Guo said, adding that these moves also severely damage the political foundation of China-Japan relations.

The spokesperson stressed that the Taiwan question bears on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the political foundation of China-Japan relations, and it constitutes a red line that must not be crossed.

China once again urges the Japanese side to earnestly reflect on its mistakes, pull back from the brink, exercise prudence in its words and actions, and refrain from going further down the wrong path, Guo said.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Peking Press.

More Information

Business

Section

Male dominance continues among Europe’s highest-paid bankers

LONDON, U.K.: A surge in high-paying banking jobs across Europe has done little to close the gender gap at the top of the financial...

Iran war drives surge in US oil exports toward record levels

HOUSTON, Texas: A sharp disruption to Middle East oil flows has pushed the United States to the brink of becoming a net crude exporter...

Dow Jones rises 123 points as Israel-Lebanon truce is agreed

NEW YORK, New York - Major U.S. stock indexes finished Thursday's trading session in positive territory, driven by technology sector...

Pizza giants edge toward sale amid cost pressures, weak demand

NEW YORK CITY, New York: Two of the largest names in the U.S. pizza market are moving closer to potential sales, as mounting cost pressures...

7-Eleven plans 645 store closures as consumer spending slows

NEW YORK CITY, New York: 7-Eleven is set to significantly shrink its North American footprint this year, planning to close far more...

IMF urges targeted aid over fuel subsidies as oil prices surge

WASHINGTON D.C.: Governments should resist the urge to roll out broad fuel subsidies to cushion the blow of surging energy prices triggered...

China

Section