Xi takes direct aim at Japan's government in condolence message for late Fukuda: "Japan's leader should value their predecessors' efforts"

[Financial News]  Chinese President Xi Jinping mourned recently deceased former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and delivered a pointed warning to Japan's current leader not to undermine the political foundations of relations between the two countries.
According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 27th (local time), Xi commemorated Fukuda in a condolence message sent that day to his family, calling him "a politician of integrity and a sense of responsibility, and a longtime friend of the Chinese people (lao pengyou, or 'old friend')." Xi said Fukuda had upheld a correct view of history and praised his contribution to establishing important principles for the development of bilateral ties by signing, during his tenure in 2008, the fourth China-Japan political document, including the "Joint Statement on the Comprehensive Promotion of the Strategic and Mutually Beneficial Relationship" between the two countries' leaders.

The pointed criticism of Japan's current government at the end of the condolence message stands out. Xi stressed, "I hope Japan's leader will value the dedication and efforts of their predecessors, abide by the four China-Japan political documents, and effectively safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations." The four political documents include provisions on the "One China" principle, mutual respect for sovereignty and opposition to hegemony.
This is seen as an attempt to hold Japan's political establishment responsible for bilateral ties, which have remained strained for a year since current Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks last November suggesting possible intervention in a "Taiwan contingency," and to apply indirect pressure on Takaichi. On the 26th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun had also criticized Japan's current political leaders more directly at a briefing, citing Fukuda's visit to the Nanjing Massacre memorial hall after leaving office and saying, "Japan's current political leaders should engage in deep self-reflection."
Former Prime Minister Fukuda, who died on the 22nd at the age of 90, was one of the Liberal Democratic Party's leading doves and placed importance on diplomacy with Asia. During his tenure, he refused to visit Yasukuni Shrine, saying, "Why do something the other side dislikes?" He is credited with maintaining amicable relations with South Korea and China without compromising with right-wing views.
Meanwhile, Xi also sent a congratulatory message on his reelection to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who won the runoff that day and is set to begin a fourth term. Xi said, "In recent years, President Lula and I have maintained close communication and made new progress in building a China-Brazil community with a shared future," and stressed the need to continue strengthening solidarity and cooperation among countries of the Global South.


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