BEIJING — China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi declared on March 8 that the trajectory of strained China-Japan relations hinges on Tokyo’s decisions, urging Japanese citizens to “open their eyes” and avoid repeating historical errors during a press conference at the nation’s Two Sessions. Relations have plummeted to their lowest in years following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s November 2025 remarks framing a potential Chinese move on Taiwan as a threat to Japan’s survival, justifying military intervention.
Wang invoked the 80th anniversary of the 1946 Tokyo Trial, prosecuting Japanese WWII leaders, as a moment for reflection, warning that a strong China and its 1.4 billion people will never tolerate recolonialism or aggression denial. He dismissed Taiwan as China’s internal affair, slamming Japan’s past militarism pretext for invasions and questioning Tokyo’s direction under Takaichi’s defense buildup and constitutional reform push.
Tensions have triggered tit-for-tat measures: travel warnings slashing Chinese visitors to Japan by over 60 percent in January, canceled flights, seafood import bans, slowed rare earth exports, and China’s February addition of 20 Japanese firms to its export control list. On reunification, Wang deemed the process “unstoppable,” condemning Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party for stoking instability.
Wang also addressed the South China Sea, highlighting progress with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam on maritime development and fishing, while claiming recent Chinese rescues of Philippine crew. He expressed confidence in finalizing a binding ASEAN code of conduct soon, urging 2026 chair Philippines to prioritize regional stability over self-interest amid disputes over its scope and the 2016 arbitration ruling China rejects. Analysts see Wang’s tone as a firm pivot, signaling potential economic thaw if Japan restrains on history, Yasukuni visits, and Taiwan rhetoric.