cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/45438161

Japan criticised a Chinese diplomat on Monday (Nov 10) for “extremely inappropriate” remarks seemingly directed at Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, after she suggested that Tokyo could take military action if Beijing attacked neighbouring Taiwan.

In a post on X on Saturday, China’s Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, shared a news article about Takaichi’s remarks about Taiwan and commented: “The dirty neck that sticks itself in must be cut off.” The post was later deleted.

Beijing has defended the “personal post” made by the envoy in an escalating war of words with Japan’s new hardline leader that threatens to strain relations between the historic rivals after a period of relative calm.

The US ambassador to Tokyo also weighed in, saying Xue had threatened Takaichi.

[…]

Karen Kuo, spokesperson for the presidential office in Taiwan, which China claims, said Taiwan’s government “takes seriously the threatening remarks made by Chinese officials toward Japan”.

“Such behaviour clearly exceeds diplomatic etiquette,” Kuo said in a statement.