Beijing: China’s Premier Li Qiang will not meet Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the upcoming G20 Summit in South Africa, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Monday, marking a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Tokyo. The decision comes after remarks by Takaichi regarding Taiwan, which Beijing deemed provocative and unacceptable.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, explained that the political basis for Sino-Japanese dialogue has been seriously undermined. She emphasized that high-level meetings would remain on hold until Japan retracts statements on Taiwan that Beijing views as a direct challenge to its sovereignty. The ministry labeled the remarks as “wrongful” and warned that resumption of top-level dialogue depends on Japan taking corrective steps.
Takaichi had previously suggested in Japan’s parliament that any Chinese military action on Taiwan could constitute an existential threat to Japan, implying that Tokyo might respond militarily if the situation escalated. China regards Taiwan as an integral part of its territory and views Japan’s statements as interference in its internal affairs. Beijing has repeatedly warned Japan that any action in the Taiwan Strait could have “serious consequences.”
The refusal to meet at the G20 summit underscores a widening rift in bilateral relations. Japan and China have historically leveraged multilateral gatherings such as the G20 to hold informal, behind-the-scenes discussions that help ease regional tensions. By declining a meeting, China is signaling a hardening stance, demonstrating that it will not engage in top-level dialogue until its demands regarding Taiwan are acknowledged.
In addition to the diplomatic snub, China has issued travel advisories against Japan, a move widely interpreted as part of a broader strategy to pressure Tokyo politically and economically. Observers note that such measures may complicate tourism and business exchanges and further strain regional interactions.
The development is likely to attract the attention of other G20 members and regional actors, including the United States and Taiwan, both of which maintain strategic interests in East Asia. Analysts warn that continued tension between China and Japan could have broader implications for Indo-Pacific security, economic cooperation, and regional stability, especially given the importance of the Taiwan Strait to global trade and defense dynamics.
The coming days will be closely watched for Japan’s response to China’s conditions and whether the diplomatic freeze will prompt any back-channel negotiations or conciliatory gestures. Meanwhile, the decision serves as a stark reminder that Taiwan remains a flashpoint capable of disrupting even the most routine diplomatic engagements in the region.