Update: Japan remains ambiguous to misguide public on Taiwan question: Chinese FM spokesperson

BEIJING, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Judging from a series of statements, Japan remains ambiguous and has deliberately left crucial issues unresolved on the Taiwan question in an attempt to mislead the public and fob off responsibility, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.

"China is firmly opposed to such practices," spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a daily press briefing.

In response to a related query about Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi's statement regarding the Taiwan question during a session at the House of Councillors, Guo said the Japanese side did not reiterate the important clause of the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement 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."

He went on to note 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, said Guo.

Guo also cited remarks by multiple Japanese senior officials and statements in relevant documents as historical facts speaking to Japan's stance on the Taiwan question.

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 restoration of Taiwan.

Guo noted 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," said Guo.

"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," Guo added.  ■