China has dramatically escalated its diplomatic confrontation with Japan by taking the dispute to the United Nations, where it has accused Tokyo of threatening "armed intervention" concerning Taiwan.
Diplomatic Crisis Unfolds at United Nations
In a strongly worded letter dispatched on Friday, China's UN ambassador Fu Cong condemned Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for what he described as "a grave violation of international law" and established diplomatic protocols.
The controversy stems from remarks made by Prime Minister Takaichi on 7th November 2025, when she suggested that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could be considered "a situation threatening Japan's survival" - a legal designation that would permit the Japanese leader to deploy military forces.
China's Strong Response and Historical Context
Ambassador Fu's correspondence with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres contained stark warnings, stating that "if Japan dares to attempt an armed intervention in the cross-Strait situation, it would be an act of aggression."
Fu emphasised China's position that it would "resolutely exercise its right of self-defence under the UN Charter" to protect what Beijing considers its sovereign territory.
The timing of this diplomatic clash is significant, occurring ahead of the 80th anniversary of Japan's Second World War defeat. Beijing has increasingly referenced Tokyo's wartime actions and China's postwar role in establishing the United Nations framework.
Wider Consequences and International Implications
The diplomatic dispute has already extended beyond political exchanges, with China reporting that trade cooperation has been "severely damaged" and several concerts featuring Japanese musicians in China being abruptly cancelled.
China bases its legal claims over Taiwan on the Potsdam and Cairo declarations, which envisioned that territories previously occupied by Japan would be restored to Chinese governance. However, many international governments regard these documents as statements of intent rather than legally binding agreements.
This confrontation represents the most significant bilateral crisis between China and Japan in recent years, testing diplomatic relations between the two Asian powers at a time of heightened regional tensions.
