China continues to take a series of actions in response to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks, in which she stated that a military conflict or the use of force in a Taiwan emergency could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan – implying that Japan might need to consider military action.
November 14, 17, and 19:
People’s Daily published three editorials under the pen name “Zhong Sheng” (a homophone for “China’s Voice”):
- “China Will Never Tolerate Sanae Takaichi’s Provocative Crossings of the Red Line on the Taiwan Question” {1}
- “Beware the Dangerous Shift in Japan’s Strategic Direction” {2}
- “Poisoning China–Japan Relations Will Ultimately Backfire” {3}
November 16:
A China Coast Guard formation led by vessel 1307 patrolled within the territorial waters of the Diaoyu Islands, which are claimed by both China and Japan. Japan’s TBS reported that four China Coast Guard ships entered the waters. {4} {5}
November 17–19:
China announced live-fire drills in sections of the central Yellow Sea, from 00:00 to 24:00 each day, with navigation prohibited.
November 18–25:
China announced additional live-fire exercises in parts of the southern Yellow Sea from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, also with navigation prohibited. {6}
November 18:
At the 80th UN General Assembly plenary session on Security Council reform, China’s Permanent Representative to the UN Fu Cong condemned Prime Minister Takaichi’s recent remarks on Taiwan as “extremely wrong, extremely dangerous, and a crude interference in China’s internal affairs.” He added that “a country like this is fundamentally unqualified to seek a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.” {7}
November 20:
The planned China–Japan–South Korea Culture Ministers’ Meeting for this month was postponed. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that “Japan’s leader openly made extremely wrong remarks on Taiwan, which means the conditions for holding the trilateral meeting no longer exist.” {8}
Additionally, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a travel advisory urging Chinese citizens to temporarily avoid traveling to Japan. According to a November 17 South China Morning Post report, more than 491,000 Japan-bound airline tickets were canceled within three days – over 30 percent of all bookings. However, some observers noted that the cancellations did not appear voluntary, and Chinese netizens posted that their Japan-bound flights had been forcibly canceled. {9}
Airline industry professionals said the impact on actual Japan-bound travel remains limited. They noted that demand for Japan routes has long been stable, with bookings typically exceeding actual passenger numbers. Flights continue to operate nearly full; although some tickets were canceled, vacated seats were quickly retaken. {10}
Sources:
1. People’s Daily, November 14, 2025
https://world.people.com.cn/n1/2025/1114/c1002-40603281.html
2. People’s Daily, November 17, 2025
https://world.people.com.cn/n1/2025/1117/c1002-40604816.html
3. People’s Daily, November 19, 2025
https://world.people.com.cn/n1/2025/1119/c1002-40606647.html
4. CCTV, November 16, 2025
https://news.cctv.com/2025/11/16/ARTIsmBlaEtjpVHxkQty08Gb251116.shtml
5. Sina, November 18, 2025
https://cj.sina.com.cn/articles/view/1887344341/m707e96d503301owqi
6. Central News Agency (Taiwan), November 18, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202511180033.aspx
7. Xinhua, November 19, 2025
http://www.news.cn/20251119/c7f5d1c0fb1a43328dfff9fbe28737cf/c.html
8. People’s Daily, November 21, 2025
https://world.people.com.cn/n1/2025/1121/c1002-40608387.html
9. Yahoo (Taiwan), November 19, 2025
https://tw.news.yahoo.com/退50萬張赴日機票-中國人驚曝內幕-被強制取消-網-不是自願的-024800232.html
10. Epoch Times, November 19, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/11/19/n14638760.htm