China condemns ex-Japanese premier's trip to Taiwan

ISTANBUL

China on Wednesday “strongly condemned” a visit by a former Japanese prime minister to Taiwan.

China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement: “Japan exercised colonial rule over Taiwan, brutally suppressed its people's resistance, and committed atrocious crimes.

“Japan needs to all the more draw lessons from history and act prudently.”

Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso is in Taiwan since Tuesday for a three-day visit where he met with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen.

China considers Taiwan as its “breakaway province” while Taipei has insisted on its independence since 1949.

“This seriously violates the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan and tramples on the basic norms governing international relations,” the ministry said.

After meeting Aso, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joshua Wang said: “We will continue to work with him and his colleagues to ensure a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

Meanwhile, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said that 11 Chinese aircraft and five vessels were found around the island nation on Wednesday.