Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun’s Regular Press Conference on December 16, 2025

CCTV: On December 15, Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi during a session at the House of Councillors made a statement regarding the Taiwan question that the Government of Japan fully understands and respects this stand of the Government of the People's Republic of China, and it firmly maintains its stand under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi insisted that the Japanese side's consistent position is hoping that the Taiwan question can be resolved peacefully through dialogue. What's China's comment? 

Guo Jiakun: We noted the remarks. The Japanese foreign minister yesterday repeated some of the clauses regarding the Taiwan question stated in the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement-"Article 8 of the document states that the Government of Japan fully understands and respects this stand of the Government of the People's Republic of China, and it firmly maintains its stand under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation." But we also noted that the Japanese side did not reiterate the important clause of the document which states "the Government of Japan recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China" and "Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China." We also noted that the Japanese side when citing the Cairo Declaration only mentioned "Manchuria, Formosa, and The Pescadores" and deliberately sidestepped the important information that they are "territories Japan has stolen from the Chinese." The Japanese side also juxtaposed the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement and the so-called Treaty of San Francisco, violating the commitments it has made and principles in international law, attempting to rehash the fallacy that Taiwan's status is "undetermined" and interfering in China's domestic affairs. The recent statements made by the Japanese side show that Japan is still reluctant to do the right thing and deliberately creating trouble on issues of critical importance in an attempt to mislead the public and hope that somehow the issue would resolve itself. China firmly opposes it.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi last week made an authoritative and detailed statement that Taiwan's status as Chinese territory has been affirmed by seven historical and legal facts. The major content is as follows: The 1943 Cairo Declaration stated clearly that all the territories Japan had stolen from China, such as Taiwan, must be restored to China. The 1945 Potsdam Proclamation stipulated that the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out. On August 15, 1945, with Japan's defeat in the war, the Japanese Emperor undertook to carry out the provisions of the Potsdam Proclamation in good faith and announced Japan's unconditional surrender. On October 25, 1945, the Chinese government announced that it would resume the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan. On October 1, 1949, the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China replaced the government of the Republic of China, became the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and thus began to exercise sovereignty over all of China's territory, including Taiwan. The 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement provided clear provisions on the Taiwan question. The 1978 Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between China and Japan, ratified by the two countries' legislatures, affirmed that the principles set out in the 1972 Joint Statement should be strictly observed.

I must point out the following facts. In September 1972, during the negotiations on the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, the then Treaty Bureau Chief of Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Takashima Masuo clearly stated the position of the Japanese government by saying that "It is Japan's consistent position that Taiwan should be restored to China." In November 1972 after the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, the then Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka and Foreign Minister Masayoshi Ōhira at the Diet session openly stated that "Disputes between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are China's internal affairs." and "Opposition between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan is a domestic matter of China." In February 1975, the then Foreign Minister Kiichi Miyazawa at the Diet said "Cross-Strait conflict should be regarded as a civil war in legal terms." Besides, in 1998 the Chinese and Japanese governments issued the China-Japan Joint Declaration on Building a Partnership of Friendship and Cooperation for Peace and Development, which includes a very important statement-"The Japanese side continues to maintain its stand on the Taiwan issue which was set forth in the Joint Communiqué of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China and reiterates its understanding that there is one China."

Let me stress that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. It is also the 80th anniversary of the recovery of Taiwan. Japan once invaded and exercised colonial rule over Taiwan for 50 years, committed innumerable crimes and bears historical responsibilities on the Taiwan question. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. How to resolve the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese ourselves and Japan is in no position to make any interference.

We once again urge the Japanese side to abide by the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, earnestly do soul-searching and correct its wrongdoings and retract the erroneous remarks made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

China-Arab TV: Foreign Minister Wang Yi's recent visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Jordan is at a critical stage of the preparation for the second China-Arab States Summit in 2026. What are the outcomes and significance of this visit? Could you offer more information on the preparation for the second China-Arab States Summit?

Guo Jiakun: Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan was a full success. During the visit, a series of new consensus and new outcomes were achieved on implementing the important common understandings reached by President Xi Jinping and the leaders of the three countries and promoting bilateral relations between China and the three countries and China-Arab States cooperation.

This visit further enhances political mutual trust between China and Arab States. Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that China always stands together with the Global South and small and medium-sized countries. China firmly safeguards the common interests of developing countries, supports the three countries in upholding strategic autonomy and pursuing the paths suited to their respective national conditions. China is always the most trustworthy strategic partner of the three countries. The three countries reaffirmed their commitments to the one-China principle and reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The three countries expressed support to China for making the second China-Arab States Summit a success.

This visit further promotes China-Arab States cooperation in various fields. Both sides agreed to further align our development strategies, deepen cooperation in traditional fields, expand cooperation in emerging and future industries, enrich our partnerships and bring more benefits to the peoples. This visit further deepens China-Arab States coordination on all fronts. The three countries spoke highly of and expressed support for the four major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping and commended China's fair and just position on the Palestinian question and other issues. Both sides agreed to strengthen solidarity and collaboration, jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, and together promote global multipolarity.

AFP: U.S. President Donald Trump said yesterday that he felt "badly" about the conviction of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong and has asked for his release. The United Kingdom has also called for Jimmy Lai's release. Does the Foreign Ministry have a response to these calls for Jimmy Lai's release or any other comments on this case?

Guo Jiakun: We've clearly stated China's position yesterday. Hong Kong upholds the rule of law. The Central Government firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR in safeguarding national security and punishing crimes that endanger national security in accordance with the law.

Beijing Daily: It's reported that the head of Taiwan's "foreign affairs department" Lin Chia-lung when asked about how to maintain friendly ties with Honduras in the competition with the Chinese mainland said that Taiwan builds a relationship of trust and prosperity. What's China's comment?

Guo Jiakun: The Taiwan authorities' "dollar diplomacy" under the disguise of "trust" and "prosperity" cannot cover up their inclination to use any means possible to advance the "Taiwan independence" agenda, nor can it deceive public opinion and the people in Taiwan. The "Taiwan independence" forces and the DPP authorities go in the opposite direction of where the arc of history bends, and their attempts are doomed to fail.

Since the establishment of China-Honduras diplomatic relations, the two countries reaped fruitful cooperation outcomes in various fields, the long-term development capability of Honduras has been effectively boosted, and the two countries and two peoples benefited greatly. Facts fully prove that upholding the one-China principle is the right choice that accords with the trend of history and our times, and serves the fundamental interests of relevant countries and their peoples.

China Daily: In response to a question on Japan's increasing military expenditure, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said at the Diet on the morning of December 16 that other countries should come to mind, for example China whose military spending has increased by seven times in 20 years and far outpaced Japan's in recent three years. What's China's comment?

Guo Jiakun: The Japanese side made groundless and false accusations against China's legitimate defense development. This egregious act was rather disgraceful. With regard to peace and security, China has the best track record among major countries. The increase of China's defense expenditure is legitimate and lawful, which is necessary for China's response to security challenges, protection of legitimate national interests, and better fulfillment of its international responsibility and obligation as a major country. The Japanese side, with a poor track record of aggression, is in no position to make such irresponsible remarks.

Due to the horrendous and untold history of aggression, Japan's moves in military and security areas have been closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community. During fiscal year 2025, Japan's defense spending per capita and spending per defense personnel are three times and more than two times that of China respectively. In recent years, Japan has been revamping the security and defense policies and increasing its defense budget for 13 consecutive years with a jump of around 60 percent in recent five years. Japan has also removed the ban on exercising the right to collective self-defense, developed the so-called "capability to strike enemy bases", revised principles on arms exports, strengthened cooperation on extended deterrence, and attempted to revise its three non-nuclear principles. Japan claims to uphold the exclusively defense-oriented principle and the passive defense strategy, but in fact violates its obligations as a defeated country clearly stated in the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation and goes against its commitments made in the Constitution. Who is expanding military buildup? Who is trying to interfere in other countries' internal affairs by force and challenging their core interests? Who is threatening regional peace and stability? The facts are crystal clear for all to see.

Japan's attempts to remilitarize at a faster pace will only once again raise questions about where Japan is headed. All peace-loving countries should be on high alert, firmly thwart any dangerous move that may revive Japanese militarism, and jointly uphold the hard-won outcomes of WWII victory.

TV Asahi: We've learned that Chinese students who are going to study in Japan on government scholarship or exchange programs may have to give up or postpone their plan. What's China's comment?

Guo Jiakun: Recently there have been rising safety risks in Japan with an increase in illegal and criminal cases targeting Chinese nationals. The public security situation and study environment in the country is unfavorable, and security risks facing Chinese nationals there are on the rise. We ask the Japanese side to earnestly protect the safety and security as well as the lawful rights and interests of Chinese students there.