China sanctions former top Japanese general over Taiwan ties
Photo: China imposes sanctions on former head of Japan's general staff (Getty Images)
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced sanctions against Shigeru Iwasaki, the former chairman of the Joint Staff Council of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, according to Bloomberg.
The ministry said the new restrictions were imposed due to his alleged ties to "Taiwanese 'separatist' forces."
The sanctions include freezing movable and immovable property in China, banning Chinese legal entities and individuals from conducting transactions with Shigeru Iwasaki, and barring his entry into China.
Shigeru Iwasaki headed Japan’s Self-Defense Forces’ general staff from 2012 to 2014. He was later appointed as an adviser to Taiwan’s administration.
According to the agency, the sanctions may signal a deterioration in relations between Beijing and Tokyo following a statement by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who warned of a "survival-threatening situation" in the event of a military crisis over Taiwan. She also declared Japan’s right to “collective self-defense” in that context.
What preceded this
Earlier, the United States presented a strategy aimed at preventing a conflict with China over Taiwan. The Trump administration outlined its approach in the official “National Security Strategy” document published on December 5.
After speaking with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump also called Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and urged her to soften her rhetoric on Taiwan.
In addition, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his German counterpart Johann Wadephul that Japan was threatening China with military force. He added that Japan’s actions in the region, particularly around Taiwan, were "completely unacceptable" and posed a threat to stability in East Asia.
