China’s Top Diplomat Warns Japan of ‘Self-Destruction’ if It Gambles on Taiwan

1. At the Munich Security Conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi presented China’s vision for a reformed international order, combining calls for global cooperation with stern warnings to regional rivals, especially Japan. Wang’s address oscillated between advocating stability and cautioning against perceived provocations, particularly concerning the Taiwan issue. He used the platform to highlight China’s diplomatic approach amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, such as Donald Trump’s recent return to the U.S. presidency and changes in leadership in Canada and Japan, which have altered China’s international context since the previous year. [para. 1][para. 2][para. 3]

2. Wang emphasized the world’s current crossroads: the choice between multilateralism and fragmentation into competing blocs. Much of his address focused on promoting Beijing’s efforts to stabilize relations with Europe and the U.S., presenting China as a stabilizing force and a champion of the Global South during uncertain times on the global stage. The address, titled “Hand in Hand to Calibrate the Course of the Giant Ship of History,” framed Beijing as a driver for international cooperation and institutional reform. [para. 2][para. 3]

3. The speech highlighted growing “law of the jungle” tendencies and rising unilateralism, which Wang argued threaten human progress. He promoted President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative, emphasizing sovereign equality, the rule of international law, and a multilateral approach anchored in the United Nations. Wang defended the U.N. against what he sees as Western efforts to bypass it, calling the body a “peace project” built collectively by the world post-World War II. Although acknowledging U.N. imperfections, Wang argued its relevance is crucial to prevent a return to a world dominated by the strong preying on the weak. [para. 4][para. 5][para. 6]

4. Wang called for returning to the original mission of the U.N. by restoring its central authority, blaming global dysfunction on certain countries rather than the organization itself. He urged major powers to set an example by encouraging cooperation, fairness, and openness. Highlighting the “collective rise of the Global South,” he advocated for an evolution of global governance to ensure greater representation for developing nations. [para. 7][para. 8]

5. On the Ukraine crisis, Wang underscored China’s support for dialogue and mediation, reiterating Beijing’s role as a non-belligerent party that facilitates peace talks. He welcomed recent discussions addressing substantive Ukraine-related issues and urged Europe to take an active role in negotiations, arguing that solutions should reflect European interests. Wang reaffirmed China’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, in line with Xi Jinping’s “Four Shoulds,” and pledged that China’s commitments would remain consistent. [para. 9][para. 10][para. 11][para. 12][para. 13][para. 14][para. 15]

6. Regarding China-U.S. relations under President Donald Trump’s administration, Wang stressed the relationship’s global significance, advocating for mutual respect and cooperation. He pointed out internal divisions in the U.S., warning that efforts to contain China or encourage “Taiwan independence” could escalate tensions and risk direct confrontation. Wang outlined two possible paths for U.S.-China relations: pragmatic cooperation or antagonistic decoupling, stating that China desires cooperation but is prepared for confrontation if necessary. [para. 16][para. 17][para. 18][para. 19][para. 20][para. 21]

7. Addressing European economic concerns, Wang dismissed the notion of China as a “systemic rival” to the European Union, referencing the deepening of China-EU trade and warning against framing economic integration as strategic vulnerability. [para. 22][para. 23]

8. On the Asia-Pacific, particularly Japan, Wang sharply criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s statements on Taiwan, labeling them provocative and a threat to China’s sovereignty and postwar international order. Wang contrasted Germany’s reckoning with its fascist past to Japan’s continued honor of wartime figures, warning that Japan’s actions indicate lingering militaristic ambitions. He concluded by warning Japan against historical amnesia and future “self-destruction,” invoking the lessons of history and urging all countries to be vigilant. [para. 24][para. 25][para. 26][para. 27][para. 28][para. 29][para. 30][para. 31][para. 32][para. 33]