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China warns Japan over plans for ‘2+2’ talks at party level with Taiwan

LDP had called on Japan’s govt to prepare for possible Chinese attack on Taiwan

xi parade ap Representational image of Chinese military | AP

In a sign of the wider worry among US allies about the rise of China, Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is pushing for talks on security issues with the ruling party in Taiwan.

The Japan Times reported the talks are being regarded as a 'ruling party version' of the 'two plus two' format involving defence and foreign ministers of two nations.

"The talks will be held at the request of the Japanese side and joined by LDP Foreign Affairs Division Director Masahisa Sato and National Defense Division Director Taku Otsuka... Participants from the Taiwan side have not been decided," The Japan Times reported.

The publication added the talks could be held in a month. "In light of growing tension between China and Taiwan, the LDP established a project team under its Foreign Affairs Division in February to discuss Japan-Taiwan relations. In its recommendations submitted in June, the LDP team called on the government to deepen ties with Taiwan and prepare for the possibility of a Chinese invasion of the self-ruled island," The Japan Times reported.

Newsweek quoted Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou as saying, "In principle, we welcome the deepening of exchanges between Taiwan's lawmakers and the main political parties and legislators of like-minded countries, but on the basis of administrative neutrality, I won't comment on any subject matter or specific meetings between political parties."

Hsieh Pei-fen, a spokesperson of Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), told Newsweek that the "meeting was still in the planning stages, and that more details would be released if and when available".

Not surprisingly, the Chinese government stated its opposition to the planned dialogue between Japan and Taiwan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying on Thursday emphasised Japan should be "cautious" about its words and actions.

Hua was quoted by Newsweek as saying, "The Taiwan question concerns the political foundations of China-Japan relations… Japan must and should be especially cautious with its words and actions, given historic crimes committed against the Chinese people in relation to the Taiwan question." Hua added, "We solemnly urge Japan to re-examine the relevant considerations, not to interfere in China's internal affairs and not to send wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces in any way." 

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