"Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning issued stern warnings toward Taiwan over its 'despicable' 'pro-Japan' stance, during a press conference in Beijing on Friday. "Japan colonised Taiwan for half a century, committing countless crimes [...] Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan interfere in China's internal affairs, send a seriously wrong signal to the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces, and endanger peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Mao remarked. She also reiterated Beijing's demand that Tokyo 'retract erroneous remarks' on the island's territorial dispute and its rejection of the San Francisco Peace Treaty, in which Japan asserted Taiwan's sovereignty. The current tensions were sparked by remarks made by Takaichi on November 7 during a parliamentary session, in which she stated that a Chinese military action against Taiwan involving warships could constitute 'a survival-threatening situation' for Japan. This was interpreted as a suggestion of Japan's potential military intervention in a Taiwan crisis, marking a departure from its previous policy of 'strategic ambiguity.' Taiwan, meanwhile, has lifted restrictions on Japanese food imports that took effect in 2011, while several senior officials, including the territory's leader Lai Ching-te, had posted images of them enjoying sushi to express support for Tokyo. During the presser, Mao reaffirmed China's advocacy for diplomatic solutions to bring the Russia-Ukraine conflict to an end, stressing Beijing's role in monitoring the situation between the sides. "China has maintained communication with all relevant parties, including Russia and Ukraine, and played a constructive role in promoting a political solution to the crisis," she noted. Talks are currently ongoing on Donald Trump's Ukraine peace plan, with US envoy Steve Witkoff expected in Moscow next week and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll set to hold discussions with the Ukrainian side."