Published: 16:20, November 20, 2025 | Updated: 18:00, November 20, 2025
Beijing says no meeting planned with Japan PM, urges Tokyo to behave
By Zhang Yunbi, Li Shangyi, and Wang Keju
A general view of the G20 South Africa 2025 logo ahead of the G20 leader’s summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on Nov 18, 2025. (PHOTO / AFP)

Beijing said on Thursday that Premier Li Qiang has no arrangements to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during this week's G20 Summit in South Africa, and urged Japan to "behave itself".

The Foreign Ministry said on Monday that Li has no scheduled meetings with the Japanese leader while attending the G20 Summit in Johannesburg of South Africa this week.

However, Japan has repeatedly claimed that it is open to dialogue and engagement with China.

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Responding to a reporter's question on Thursday about the possibility of contact between Chinese and Japanese leaders during the G20 Summit, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said: "Premier Li Qiang has no arrangements to meet with the Japanese leader. We urge the Japanese side to behave itself."

Mainland official slams Japan's remarks on Taiwan

In this Dec 19, 2024 file photo, Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, delivers a speech during the Cross-Strait Youth Ice and Snow Festival opening ceremony. (PHOTO / HANDOUT VIA XINHUA)

Japan and its leader have no right to make irresponsible remarks about Taiwan, Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Thursday.

He reiterated that Taiwan is part of China, and that resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people alone, allowing no external interference.

"We have the firm will, strong resolve, and powerful capability to crush all 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities and external interference, and to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," Song said at a cross-Strait exchange event in Chengdu, Sichuan province.

He criticized the Democratic Progressive Party authorities for ignoring historical facts, going against the will of the people, and stubbornly adhering to a "Taiwan independence" position.

"The DPP authorities have aggressively promoted separatist rhetoric, maliciously incited cross-Strait confrontation to seek 'independence' through external forces and through military means," Song said, adding that "these actions have undermined peace in the Taiwan Strait, harmed the well-being of compatriots, and seriously challenged the one-China principle".

He stressed that regardless of how "Taiwan independence" forces provoke or how external actors attempt to interfere, China will and must achieve reunification, calling it "an unstoppable trend of history".

Song also expressed hope that Taiwan compatriots will continue to carry forward their proud tradition of patriotism.

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Meanwhile, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday that if Japan persists in pursuing the wrong course and goes further down the wrong path, China will resolutely take all necessary countermeasures, and Japan shall bear all the consequences.

Takaichi recently openly made erroneous remarks on China's Taiwan, which fundamentally undermines the political foundation of China-Japan relations and negatively impacts bilateral economic and trade cooperation, said He Yongqian, spokeswoman for the ministry, at a news conference.

China urges Japan to adopt a responsible attitude toward history and bilateral relations, retract its wrong words and deeds, honor its commitment to China and create a favorable environment for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, He added.