China condemns Japanese PM's comments on Taiwan, while Tokyo downgrades ties description in diplomatic report.

As Tokyo moves to downgrade the description of ties with Beijing in its annual diplomatic report, mainland China says the Japanese prime minister’s “erroneous remarks on Taiwan” are the root of their current tensions. On Tuesday, China’s foreign ministry said comments by Japanese leader Sanae Takaichi had sparked anger in China and breached a “red line”. Japan will describe China in its 2026 diplomatic bluebook as an important neighbour, and the relationship as “strategic” and “mutually...