BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Tuesday urged current Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to withdraw her erroneous remarks regarding China's Taiwan, while calling on the Japanese government to adhere to the one-China policy.
Hatoyama made the remarks during the ongoing 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, which runs from Tuesday to Thursday in the Chinese capital. He said Takaichi should either retract her remarks or, by some other means, communicate in "an absolutely unambiguous manner" that Japan continues to firmly respect the one-China policy.
At a Diet meeting in November last year, Takaichi said the Chinese mainland's "use of force on Taiwan" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan. She refused to retract her remark, which implies the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait.
Takaichi's provocative statements have sparked widespread outrage and condemnation across China, while China has repeatedly urged Japan to retract those remarks.
Hatoyama said that Takaichi's remarks were "extremely regrettable," and differed from the previous and official Japanese government position, adding that he would applaud if Takaichi made a major shift in her Taiwan-related remarks.
"However, given her personality, I find it difficult to remain optimistic," Hatoyama added, while noting that he would continue his efforts to promote dialogue and exchanges between Japan and China.
Themed "Build Consensus on Stability, Advance Security Governance Together," this year's forum has drawn attendees from almost 100 countries, regions and international organizations. ■
