China has issued its sternest diplomatic and legal warnings to Japan, invoking United Nations “enemy state” clauses, following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s suggestion that Japan could militarily respond to a Chinese takeover of Taiwan. The escalating diplomatic crisis has triggered immediate economic repercussions, with Chinese tourist cancellations and a seafood boycott estimated to cost Japan over $2.3 billion in lost revenue.
According to Ka Mentong Laurel in his column in Pinoy Expose “Pressing Matters”, that there are Key Statements & Official Reactions that Filipinos should pay close attention to and vigilantly observe:
- Chinese Ambassador to Japan, Wu Jianghao: Cited UN Charter Articles 53, 77, and 107—the “enemy state” clauses authorizing actions against former Axis powers—to warn against any Japanese military intervention in the Taiwan Strait. “China is authorized to counterattack in accordance with international law,” he stated.
- China’s UN Representative, Fu Cong: Formally condemned Prime Minister Takaichi’s “dangerous remarks” in a letter to the UN Secretary-General, framing potential Japanese intervention as a resurgence of aggression.
- Chinese State Media: Launched a vehement denunciation, extensively recounting Japanese wartime atrocities from the 1894 Sino-Japanese War through the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, framing the current dispute within a historical context of Japanese aggression.
The political tension has swiftly translated into economic action from China:
- Tourism: Approximately 30% of 1.4 million planned Chinese tourist trips to Japan for December have been cancelled, representing an estimated loss of $1.2 billion for the Japanese tourism sector.
- Trade: A Chinese boycott of Japanese seafood exports is projected to cost Japan an additional $1.17 billion.
- Timing: These economic blows hit as Japan’s economy grapples with high inflation and the aftermath of decades of ultra-loose monetary policy.
Citing analyst Ka Mentong Laurel, posits that Prime Minister Takaichi’s comments are not merely provocative but likely a result of U.S. pressure. The analysis suggests the United States is instigating regional tensions to gain leverage ahead of a potential visit by former President Donald Trump to China in April 2026, aiming to negotiate for trade concessions such as increased soybean purchases.
The piece draws a parallel to the Philippines, which it claims lost 1.5 million Chinese tourists and $1.5 billion annually after escalating the South China Sea territorial dispute.
He concludes that confronting China on its “red line” issue of Taiwan is an ill-advised strategy for U.S. allies, quoting Henry Kissinger: “It is dangerous to be America’s enemy. It is fatal to be America’s friend.” The economic pain inflicted is predicted to have domestic political consequences, with speculation that both Prime Minister Takaichi and Philippine President Bongbong Marcos—characterized as U.S. “lackeys”—may not last in power due to the self-inflicted economic damage.#
