Korea-Japan-China summit at risk as Beijing, Tokyo clash over Taiwan

Tensions in Northeast Asia are escalating as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan reignite discord between China and Japan. When the foreign ministers of Korea, Japan and China met in Tokyo in March, they agreed to expedite preparations for holding a trilateral summit, but the growing rift now jeopardizes the long-awaited meeting, diplomatic experts warned. In a further indication of strained relations, China has cancelled a scheduled culture ministerial meeting with South Korea and Japan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that Takaichi's remarks have undermined the foundation and atmosphere for trilateral cooperation. “As a result, conditions for holding related trilateral meetings are currently not in place,” Mao said. Takaichi, the new Japanese leader, told a parliamentary committee earlier that a Chinese naval blockade or other actions toward the self-ruled island could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, possibly allowing it to exercise its right to self-defense. Her comments were notably stronger thanWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times