China repeats call for retraction of Japanese PM's Taiwan comments

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian called on Wednesday for Japan to retract Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on the Taiwan question, thus creating the conditions for normal exchanges between the two countries.

Lin's remarks followed reports that a group of Japanese business executives had postponed a trip to China, which had been scheduled to take place in late January.

At a daily news briefing, Lin said China has taken note of the media reports and is also aware that many respected figures in Japan had expressed deep concern over the impact and serious consequences of the Japanese prime minister's recent remarks on Taiwan.

Lin added that China has urged Japan to take concrete actions, face up to the root causes of the current difficulties in bilateral relations, and reflect upon and move to correct its mistakes.