China urges Japan to reassess history, respect Taiwan commitments

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on Japan to “reflect on and correct its mistakes as soon as possible”, warning Tokyo against “clinging to the wrong path” on issues related to Taiwan and historical memory.

Speaking in a media interview after concluding visits to Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan from 19–22 November, Wang accused Japan’s current leadership of making “wrongful words and actions” that challenge China’s core interests and the post–World War II order, Caliber.Az reports via Chinese media.

Wang said that if Tokyo “persists in its own way and keeps making the same mistakes”, countries that uphold justice have the right to re-examine Japan’s wartime conduct and “resolutely prevent the resurgence of Japanese militarism”.

Wang noted that the foreign ministers of the three Central Asian states had reiterated their firm support for the one-China principle, opposing any form of “Taiwan independence”. Their position, he said, demonstrates that the one-China principle remains “an unshakable consensus of the international community”.

He also underscored that China is committed to being a “steadfast supporter and strong defender” of peace and stability in Central Asia, opposing any external interference or attempts to stir division in the region.

Marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, Wang stressed that the post-war international order clearly states Taiwan’s return to China in documents such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation.

He criticised what he described as a “shocking” signal from a sitting Japanese leader hinting at military involvement in the Taiwan question, saying Beijing “must resolutely hit back” to safeguard sovereignty and defend the “hard-won post-war achievements”.

Japan, Wang emphasised, has made explicit commitments on the Taiwan issue in four bilateral political documents with China, which “leave no room for ambiguity”. Integrity and credibility, he said, apply not only to individuals but to nations.

Wang briefed his Central Asian counterparts on the roadmap for China’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), saying Beijing’s pursuit of high-quality development would create new opportunities across the region.

The three Central Asian states expressed strong appreciation for China’s governance model and for global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, including the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative. They also signalled readiness to join the “group of friends” for global governance and the newly established International Organization for Mediation.

China-Central Asia trade grew to nearly 80 billion US dollars in the first three quarters of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 15.6 per cent, and is expected to exceed 100 billion dollars by year-end. China’s cumulative investment in the region has surpassed 50 billion dollars.

People-to-people exchanges are also rising sharply, with travel between China and the five Central Asian countries increasing by more than a third this year.

Wang described China-Central Asia cooperation as unique among C5+1 formats, rooted in geographic proximity, complementary economies and a strong commitment to mutual benefit, consensus-based decision-making and collective security.

China, he said, is ready to work with the region to “accelerate common development through win-win cooperation” and deliver tangible benefits to the countries and their peoples.

By Vugar Khalilov