China has strongly dismissed claims made by some individuals in Japan who argue that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has no standing to discuss the Taiwan question because it was the Republic of China (ROC) that accepted Japan’s surrender in 1945. The remarks surfaced amid escalating tensions following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent statements on Taiwan, which Beijing has labeled as erroneous and provocative.
Responding to a question from Global Times, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said such claims either stem from ignorance of history or represent a deliberate distortion of established international legal facts. She emphasized that Japan’s surrender and the subsequent legal commitments remain foundational to the present-day international order.
Mao Ning highlighted that in 1945, Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender and explicitly agreed to comply with the Potsdam Proclamation, which required Tokyo to unconditionally return Taiwan to China. Following this, China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan, making the island’s return both a legal requirement and a practical reality in the post-war order.
She further stated that the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 represented a change in government, not a change in China as a subject of international law. The sovereignty, territorial boundaries, and legal identity of China remained intact. Consequently, the PRC naturally and fully inherited and exercises China’s sovereignty, including over the Taiwan region.
Mao Ning also referenced the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, in which Japan officially recognized the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China. This recognition, she said, further solidifies Japan’s political and diplomatic acknowledgment of the one-China principle.
Reaffirming China’s long-standing position, Mao Ning stressed that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. She added that this is an ironclad historical and legal fact that cannot be bent, denied, or distorted by political narratives in Japan or elsewhere.
The latest exchange adds to the rising tensions in China-Japan relations, which have deteriorated following Prime Minister Takaichi’s comments suggesting potential Japanese involvement in Taiwan-related contingencies. Beijing has consistently warned Tokyo against crossing its red line on Taiwan, calling the issue the core of China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Disclaimer
This article is based on official statements from the Chinese Foreign Ministry and publicly available diplomatic records. The content reflects the views expressed by Chinese officials during the press briefing and is intended for informational and news reporting purposes only.
