On Friday, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, reiterated that Japan is not qualified to seek a permanent seat on the UN Security Council (UNSC).

Fu made these remarks during an intergovernmental negotiating meeting of the UN General Assembly on the issue of equitable representation and the expansion of the Security Council.

In his statement, Fu said that Japan has failed to acknowledge its history of aggressive actions, has openly undermined the post-war international order, and has interfered in the sovereignty of other states, posing new threats to regional peace and stability. "Such a country is simply not qualified to seek a permanent seat on the Security Council," he stated.

The day before, at a UN meeting, Fu warned that any military intervention by Japan regarding the issue of Taiwan would face a "direct strike."

During a plenary session of the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the United Nations, he said that Japanese leadership has, in recent years, been acting against the tide of history. Japan has explicitly linked the issue of Taiwan to a purported "threat to survival," reacted speculatively based on the Japan-U.S. alliance, and attempted to use "self-defense" as a pretext for intervention in the Taiwan issue.

"These fallacious arguments have no legal basis," Fu stated. "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the issue of Taiwan is an internal affair of China. No other country has the right to interfere, let alone use force under the pretext of so-called 'self-defense'."

Fu pointed out that such arguments violate Japan's obligations as a defeated country, and contradict the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, as well as the principles of the UN Charter regarding respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states.

"These claims represent a serious challenge to the post-war international order and should be met with vigilance and resistance from all peace-loving countries. If Japan, under any pretext, exercises the so-called 'collective self-defense' right and intervenes in the Taiwan issue, it will constitute an act of aggression against China, and China will respond with a direct strike," Fu added.

Broader UNSC Reform

Regarding the reform of the UNSC, Fu on Friday emphasized three points:

    The Security Council should not become a "club" for major or wealthy powers, and the reform should not benefit only a few countries. It is necessary to increase the representation and voice of developing countries, involve more small and medium-sized states with independent foreign policies, and rectify the historical injustice faced by Africa, with priority given to African demands. The reform should not be limited to the current global power structure, but should be guided by a strategic and long-term vision.

CMG