China warned on Wednesday that it would respond to any foreign attempts to involve themselves in the Taiwan issue, issuing the statement after Japan confirmed plans to deploy missile systems on an island close to the self ruled territory. The warning marks another sharp exchange in a region already dealing with heightened military activity and long standing territorial disputes.
The remarks underline Beijing’s growing concern over Tokyo’s expanded defence posture and highlight how any move near the Taiwan Strait now sparks immediate diplomatic tension.
At a regular press briefing, Peng Qingen, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said Beijing had the “will, determination and ability” to defend what it sees as its national territory. He added that China “would crush all foreign interference”, speaking directly in response to a question about Japan’s planned missile deployment.
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Japan announced it will place missile units on Yonaguni Island, the country’s westernmost point and roughly one hundred kilometres from Taiwan. Japanese officials say the move is part of a wider effort to strengthen the country’s defence capability amid growing regional threats.
Peng criticised the plan as “extremely dangerous” and accused Japan of “deliberately creating regional tensions and provoking military confrontation”.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out taking it by force. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s position, saying the island’s future must be decided only by its people. That stance remains central to Taiwan’s political consensus and has been restated repeatedly by its leaders.
China has maintained regular military activity around the island, including air patrols and crossings into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone, according to Taiwan’s defence ministry and reports from Reuters.
Japan has expanded its defence plans over the past two years, citing increased pressure from China and concerns about North Korea’s missile development. This includes enhanced missile capability, troop movements toward its southwest region and closer cooperation with allies.
Beijing says these actions risk destabilising the area, while Japan argues it is responding to an increasingly uncertain environment. Analysts expect more friction in the coming months as Tokyo continues rolling out its new defence measures.
The exchange adds to the tense atmosphere across Northeast Asia and signals that further diplomatic and military responses from both sides are likely.
