China’s Reaction to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Visit to India: What Did China Say?
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China closely observed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to India from July 1 to 3.
On Friday, China asserted that bilateral cooperation should not target any third country or harm the interests of another nation.
During Takaichi’s visit, India and Japan endorsed support for a free and open Indo-Pacific, a notion China has criticized as being contrary to the shared aspirations of countries in the region.
Yu Jing, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India, responded on Friday by quoting Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Zijun’s remarks about Takaichi’s visit.
When asked about Takaichi’s statements, Guo said, “The so-called free and open Indo-Pacific concept runs counter to the shared aspirations of regional countries concerning peace, development, and cooperation, and it will never gain genuine acceptance.”
He added, “Safeguarding the post-war international order and the purposes of the United Nations Charter is the foundation of prosperity and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as a shared responsibility of regional nations.”
Commentary from ‘Global Times’
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In contrast to the official Chinese response, the English-language daily Global Times, regarded as the ruling Communist Party’s mouthpiece, offered a different take on the Japanese Prime Minister’s visit.
The Global Times wrote, “During her India visit, the Japanese Prime Minister greeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a smile and called him ‘Thuldi’ (big elder brother). However, Japanese media later reported that after her delegation banned tap water use, bottled water was brought on board the official plane. Some analysts see this contradictory behavior as indifferent, formal, and disdainful towards India.”
Citing another report, the Global Times referred to the Japanese media Abeema Times regarding strict hygiene guidelines imposed on the Japanese delegation during their stay in India.
These guidelines strictly prohibited drinking or rinsing with tap water, mandating only bottled mineral water for all.
It was reported that prior to departure, the government aircraft was stocked with a large quantity of mineral water.
Strategic expert Brahma Chellaney wrote, “Japan has consistently prioritized the free and open Indo-Pacific issue. This concept was originally presented by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and later became a cornerstone of US regional strategy.”
According to him, although the United States has dropped the ‘Indo’ term from ‘Indo-Pacific,’ Japan remains steadfast on the ‘Indo-Pacific’ and ‘free and open Indo-Pacific’ concepts.
“During her recent visit to New Delhi for the 16th annual Japan-India summit, the Japanese Prime Minister emphasized this subject,” he said.
Is the India-Japan Alliance Directed Against China?
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China’s perspective on the Japanese Prime Minister’s visit has sparked extensive discussion in its media.
Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post cited analysts saying, “The three-day visit’s objective is to strengthen the coalition of countries concerned about China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. It may also aim to secure an easy victory for Takaichi, whose domestic support has waned due to economic challenges.”
Ben Ashioun, an associate professor of politics and international relations at Tokyo’s Waseda University, stated in his article published by this outlet that security and the economy are significant issues for both Japan and India.
“Takaichi seeks to accelerate Japan’s security transformation and portray India as a key partner. Yet, it remains to be seen how much and to what extent India shares these views,” he explained.
According to him, “The primary aim of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific campaign is to strengthen India as a balancing power against China by transcending Asia-Pacific regionalism. But India’s readiness depends on its relationship with China.”
“When border tensions with China rise, India appears more open to cooperation with the US and Japan. Conversely, when relations stabilize, India seems less willing to embrace the role sought by Japan’s security supporter group,” he added.
Why Are China-Japan Relations Strained?
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Relations between China and Japan have long been tense, with the Taiwan issue further escalating conflicts.
Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi, on November 7, 2025, warned that if China wages war to seize Taiwan, Japan’s existence could be threatened.
She stated that in such circumstances, Japan would gain a legal basis to deploy its military with the United States’ consent.
China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and, due to the One-China policy, does not maintain independent diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Following Takaichi’s comments, China strongly protested, accusing her of interfering in internal affairs and demanded a retraction, which the Japanese Prime Minister refused.
These remarks enraged China, prompting stern objections.
The Chinese government has charged Takaichi with intervening in its internal affairs.
China and Japan are two of Asia’s most powerful nations and major regional trading partners.
Rising Chinese military activity around disputed islands, trade restrictions, and concerns about peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait continue to fuel tensions between them.
While neither country has increased military drills, Chinese vessels conduct daily patrols near disputed islands, which Japanese ships closely monitor.
The History of Hostility Between China and Japan
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The antagonism between Japan and China is closely linked to the 1937 Nanjing massacre.
After the Japanese army captured the Chinese city of Nanjing, they committed widespread killing, rape, and looting. The massacre continued until March 1938, with estimates of 250,000 to 300,000 deaths, mostly women and children.
Analysts say this history continues to significantly impact China’s current economic and military development.
Japan expanded its control while China was embroiled in a civil war between communists and nationalists. Chinese nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek declared Nanjing the national capital.
Many Japanese believe that the atrocities committed by Japan in China are exaggerated in textbooks.
The war expanded widely after Japan occupied Manchuria in 1937, resulting in the deaths of millions of Chinese. This conflict ended with the conclusion of World War II in 1945.
During World War II, East Asia was the primary theater of war, shaping regional national identities.
China has emerged as an economic and military power, but its past remains a key influence.
China continuously reminds its citizens of atrocities from the First Opium War in 1839 through the end of World War II.
Chinese education frames the humiliations and exploitations by Japan and Western colonial powers as events that should never be forgotten.
Since 2014, China has observed December 13 as a public holiday to commemorate the Nanjing Massacre and has called on Japan to apologize.