Beijing has imposed sanctions on Japanese House of Representatives member Keiji Furuya, accusing him of “collaborating with Taiwan’s independence forces.” Under the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Act, Beijing will freeze all of Furuya’s properties and assets within China.
Following the announcement of the sanctions on Furuya on the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s website, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning addressed this question at a press conference today. A reporter asked: “Regarding the decision announced on the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s website on Monday morning to impose countermeasures on Japanese House of Representatives member Keiji Furuya, could the spokesperson provide further details?”
In her statement, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the following: the Taiwan question is the core of China’s core interests and an insurmountable red line. China has lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side over Furuya’s visit to China’s Taiwan region. After Japanese leaders made erroneous remarks concerning Taiwan, China repeatedly made clear its solemn position. However, Furuya has shown no restraint, failing to stop or pull back, and has persisted in colluding with “Taiwan independence” separatist forces to stir up trouble, seriously interfering in China’s internal affairs and gravely infringing upon China’s sovereignty and core interests.
In response to Furuya’s egregious actions, and in accordance with China’s Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, China has issued a Foreign Ministry order to impose sanctions on him as a warning to others. Mao said. China will, in light of the situation, take any other necessary punitive measures against him.
What happened?
Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Furuya met with Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te during a visit to Taipei on March 16. According to Taiwan Today, an online publication of the Taipei Foreign Ministry, Furuya called for expanded cooperation in next-generation sectors such as green energy, energy security, and supply chain development.
Taiwan’s official Central News Agency reported that Furuya, who attended the government-funded Yushan Forum in Taipei, also proposed the establishment of a “trilateral military band exchange” between Japan, the United States, and Taiwan.
Source: SCMP and Global Times
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