Xinhua News Agency: Recently, a senior official in charge of security and defense at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office told reporters that Japan should have nuclear weapons. Japanese Defense Minister later said that they left open the possibility of Japan reviewing its non-nuclear principles in the future. These remarks were met with strong criticism from various sectors in Japan and its neighboring countries, including Russia. What’s China’s comment?

Lin Jian: China is shocked that a senior official from the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office who is close to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi brazenly claimed that Japan should have nuclear weapons. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary declined to make clarifications on the remarks. Asked about possible revisions to the three non-nuclear principles, Japan’s Defense Minister said “all options would be discussed.” Given previous Japanese media reports that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to revise the three non-nuclear principles, the above-mentioned statements amount to a blatant challenge to the postwar international order and the nuclear non-proliferation regime, a serious threat to regional and international peace and stability, and a U-turn from Japan’s commitment to “peaceful development.” Stressing that the idea is a “personal view” is not convincing at all. The international community should be on high alert and firmly against it. 

First, relevant remarks seriously violate Japan’s due obligations under international law. Instruments with legal effect under international law, including the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, clearly stipulate: Japan should be completely disarmed and not maintain such industries as would enable the country to re-arm for war. As a non-nuclear-weapon State Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Japan must fully abide by the provisions of “not receiving, manufacturing, acquiring or transferring nuclear weapons.” These are non-negotiable obligations under international law that Japan must fulfill and should not be used as bargaining chips for political gains.

Second, relevant remarks severely undermine peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific and beyond. The international nuclear non-proliferation regime is an important part of the postwar international order. Japan’s attempt to possess nuclear weapons gravely challenges the authority and effectiveness of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, risks undermining countries’ effort of upholding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and sabotages the hard-won peace and stability after WWII. Japan’s statements have been met by opposition from many countries. LDP senior officials, members of both ruling and opposition parties and civil groups were shocked and said that such remarks shall never be tolerated and the three non-nuclear principles shall be strictly observed.

Third, Japanese right-wing forces’ remilitarization ambition is rather apparent. Former Japanese political leaders claimed Japan is capable of manufacturing nuclear weapons. Japan has long been manufacturing and possessing plutonium stocks far beyond what is needed for civilian nuclear power programs. Japan is a non-nuclear-weapon state capable of producing weapon-level plutonium. If Japan further pushes the envelope and continues to challenge international justice and test the bottom line of the international community, China’s response will be a firm “No”. Over the years, the Japanese right-wing forces have been advancing Japan’s military buildup. The latest statement by the senior official from the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office of “possessing nuclear weapons” is an example of how Japanese right-wing forces are trying to “remilitarizing” and “rearming” Japan. It also says a lot about why Prime Minister Takaichi could make such erroneous and dangerous remarks concerning Taiwan on November 7. After coming into office, Prime Minister Takaichi has hyped up the “survival-threatening situation” and kept blurring policy boundaries. She has taken a number of steps to cross the red line and played deaf to domestic and international criticisms. Many with vision in Japan have warned against that. We cannot but ask: Where exactly is the Takaichi Administration taking Japan? 

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Japanese militarists waged a war of aggression and committed inhumane atrocities, creating the darkest page in human history. Despite the defeat, Japan has never been able to fully eliminate the scourge of militarism in the country. Some forces inside Japan have not only failed to reflect on Japan’s history of aggression, but also been extremely unhappy about the postwar international arrangement. If the right-wing forces in Japan are left free to develop powerful offensive weapons, or even possess nuclear weapons, it will again bring disaster to the world. China and all peace-loving countries in the world are on high alert and firmly opposed to the dangerous tendency Japan has shown on the issue of nuclear weapons, and strongly urge Japan to abide by international law and its Constitution and stop the venturing and provocative moves towards owning nuclear weapons. Japan must not seek to challenge the postwar international order, and stop plunging further down the wrong path.

RT TV: Following the 11th China-ROK vice foreign ministerial strategic dialogue, what specific diplomatic strategies or frameworks is Beijing proposing to facilitate a rapprochement between the DPRK and the ROK?

Lin Jian: We’ve released a readout on the 11th China-ROK high-level strategic dialogue between the two countries’ foreign ministries. China’s position and policy on the Korean Peninsula issue maintain continuity and consistency. China will continue playing a constructive role in its own way to keep the Peninsula peaceful and stable and promote the political settlement of the Peninsula issue.

Global Times: U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed on December 21 that the U.S. Coast Guard seized an oil tanker on the early morning of December 20, local time. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said the tanker was “operating as part of the Venezuelan shadow fleet to traffic stolen oil.” What’s China’s comment?

Lin Jian: By arbitrarily seizing other countries’ vessels, the U.S. has seriously violated international law. China stands against unilateral illicit sanctions that lack basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council, and against any move that violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, infringes upon other countries’ sovereignty and security, and constitutes unilateralism and bullying. Venezuela has the right to independently develop mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries. We believe Venezuela’s position of defending its legitimate rights and interests has the understanding and support of the international community.

CNR: It’s reported that foreign ministers of ASEAN countries gathered for a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today with a focus on the border situation between Cambodia and Thailand. The two countries have yet to reach a consensus. What’s your comment? How does Deng Xijun, the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Special Envoy for Asian Affairs, play his role in promoting peace between the two sides?

Lin Jian: Both Cambodia and Thailand are important members of ASEAN. China commends and supports the effort of ASEAN, in particular Malaysia, to secure peace. China, as the two countries’ friend and close neighbor, sincerely hopes the fighting will stop and peace will be rebuilt at an early date, which is in the larger interest of peace and stability along their border and the fundamental interest of the people of both countries.

Since the latest escalation between the two countries, China has been engaging the two sides for peace through its own way. Foreign Minister Wang Yi talked to Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers over the phone. MFA senior official has maintained communication with Cambodia, Thailand and relevant ASEAN countries. MFA Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Deng Xijun is on a shuttle-diplomacy trip to facilitate talks. On his shuttle-diplomacy trip, relevant information will be released in due course. China will continue working actively for peace and playing a constructive role for deescalation.

Yonhap News Agency: The ROK and the U.S. will launch the discussions next year on implementing agreements between their leaders on the ROK building nuclear-powered submarines, uranium enrichment and other issues. Some Chinese military experts said on domestic media outlets that this move will disrupt the nuclear non-proliferation regime. What’s China’s comment on this issue?

Lin Jian: On the submarine cooperation between the U.S. and the ROK, China has articulated its position more than once. We hope the ROK will handle the matter with prudence.

Bloomberg: A high-level LDP official from Japan is visiting Taiwan today. He’s on a three-day visit, and he is expected to meet Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te. Would the Foreign Ministry like to comment?

Lin Jian: Taiwan is a province of China and there is no such thing as “president.” Let me stress that Japanese LDP lawmakers’ visit to China’s Taiwan region violates the one-China principle, the four political documents between China and Japan and Japan’s own commitments made to China. China firmly opposes the visit and has protested to the Japanese side. 

There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. We once again urge the Japanese side to reflect on and correct its wrongdoings, retract Prime Minister Takaichi’s erroneous remarks, and not to interfere in China’s internal affairs. The DPP authorities will not succeed in seeking “Taiwan independence” by ingratiating themselves with Japan. Their disgraceful acts will only lead to a dead end.