The Chinese Embassy in Japan announced today, Sunday, January 14, 2024, that it "strongly objects" to the statement by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, in which she congratulates the newly elected president of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te.

Kamikawa congratulated Lai on his victory in a statement published on the website of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday, Saturday, after the announcement of the presidential election results in Taiwan.

Kamikawa said that Taiwan, which enjoys autonomy, is a "very important partner and friend."

In response, the Chinese Embassy in Japan described Kamikawa's statements as a "serious interference in China's internal affairs" without mentioning Lai or recognizing his victory, according to a statement published on the embassy's account.

The Chinese Embassy also said: "We express our deep dissatisfaction and strong opposition to this, and have lodged an official protest to the Japanese side."

Like most countries, Japan does not maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which is a condition for establishing diplomatic relations with China.

However, Japan's alliance with the United States, the main supporter of Taiwan, and Japan's closeness to the island and the recent tensions in its relations with China, have pushed Tokyo to strengthen relations with Taipei.

Kamikawa said in her statement that "the Japanese government will work to deepen cooperation and exchange between Japan and Taiwan."

The Chinese Embassy also said that Japan must refrain from sending any "wrong signals" to "Taiwan independence" forces, a term used by Beijing to describe Lai and his Democratic Progressive Party, which advocates a separate Taiwanese identity and rejects China's sovereignty claims over the island.