What did Japan's PM say that started tensions with China?

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has pushed China-Japan relations to the brink, just three weeks into her tenure.

At a Japan’s congressional meeting last week, she claimed that a “use of force on Taiwan” by the Chinese mainland could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, hinting at possible armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait.

Beijing responded with stern diplomatic protests and an unprecedented wave of countermeasures. China also conducted live-fire drills at sea.

Sourabh Gupta, Senior Fellow at the Institute for China-America Studies explains.

China and Japan have a deep and important economic bond, as well as strong people-to-people relationships, but after Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made highly incendiary remarks about China's Taiwan region, relations are at risk.

Here's what Sourabh Gupta, Senior Fellow at the Institute for China-America Studies, believes is needed from Japan in order to heal what was said.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently made highly provocative remarks about China's Taiwan region shortly after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of APEC.

How can the two countries move forward? Sourabh Gupta, Senior Fellow at the Institute for China-America Studies, shares his views.

Japan has recognized that Taiwan is a part of China for decades, and that recognition was a basis for the two countries to build both economic and political relationships over the years. Now a new Japanese prime minister seems to have changed course and said that she would consider becoming involved militarily if China moves forward with unification.

Sourabh Gupta, Senior Fellow at the Institute for China-America Studies, explains why the Taiwan Strait is the wrong issue for Japan to take a stand on.

For more, check out our exclusive content on CGTN Now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The China Report.