Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Chinese Consul General in Osaka Xue Jian (薛劍) on Saturday last week shared a news article on social media about Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan, adding that “the dirty neck that sticks itself in must be cut off.” The previous day in the Japanese House of Representatives, Takaichi said that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could constitute “a situation threatening Japan’s survival,” a reference to a legal legal term introduced in 2015 that allows the prime minister to deploy the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

The violent nature of Xue’s comments is notable in that it came from a diplomat, especially one stationed in the country to which he was directing his ire. The Japanese government called it “extremely inappropriate,” while Beijing tried to distance itself by characterizing the post as “personal.” Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said that Xue’s comments, and similar remarks from Chinese officials, risked stirring up anti-Japanese sentiment among Chinese, and that it “cannot be treated as an isolated incident or just a personal remark.” US Ambassador to Japan George Glass wrote on X: “The mask slips — again.”

When presidential adviser Lin Hsin-i (林信義), Taiwan’s envoy to this year’s APEC summit in South Korea, arrived at the opening session on Friday last week, the official broadcast screen bore the name “Taiwan.” Also featured were the national flag, the labels “major economic partner” and “chips sector competitor,” as well as population and GDP statistics of 23.3 million and US$805 billion.

It is more than just a new look — it is an open acknowledgement of Taiwan’s economic strength and technological standing. As host, South Korea has delivered a tactful and economically minded framing, reflecting the pragmatic recognition of Taiwan’s role amid a global supply chain restructuring and growing geopolitical risks.