Foreign attempts

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 …