New Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed hope for deeper cooperation with the former vice chairman of Taiwan's Executive Yuan (the country's top executive body), Lin Hsin-yi,, prompting a protest from Beijing, Kyodo News reported.
Takaichi posted a photo of herself shaking hands with Lin Hsin-yi during their meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. She wrote under the photo: “I hope that practical cooperation between Japan and Taiwan will deepen.“ The day before, the Japanese prime minister met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry later issued a statement expressing its protest to the Japanese side. Beijing noted that Takaichi's move "seriously violates the "one China" principle" and called for non-interference in its internal affairs.
During her political career, before being elected leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan and prime minister, Takaichi was an active advocate for the development of ties with Taiwan. This has raised serious concerns about the future development of relations between Tokyo and Beijing under Takaichi.
Japan does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but maintains close ties with the island. The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Society maintains an office in Taipei City, which effectively serves as Tokyo's embassy in Taiwan.
Taiwan has been governed by its own administration since 1949, when the remnants of the Kuomintang forces led by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) retreated to the island after losing the Chinese Civil War. According to Beijing's official position, supported by most countries, including Russia, it is one of China's regions.