Japan says China did not send senior officials to Emperor Naruhito's birthday reception in Beijing

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - China did not send any senior government representative to a reception marking the 66th birthday of Emperor Naruhito held on Friday evening at the Japanese ambassador’s residence in Beijing, Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported on Saturday.

Around 900 guests attended the event, according to the Japanese embassy. But unlike previous years when vice-ministerial-level officials from China’s Foreign Ministry were present, no officials above the working level participated this time.

Ambassador Kanasugi Kenji told reporters after the reception that dialogue is even more important given the current state of bilateral relations. He emphasized the need to continue “sowing seeds” and cherishing the mutual bond.

A similar reception held in Hong Kong on Feb. 5 also saw no attendance by senior officials from the city administration.

Tensions between China and Japan have escalated since November, when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could legally constitute a “survival-threatening situation,” potentially allowing Japan to exercise the right of collective self-defense.

China views Taiwan, which has governed itself since 1949, as a breakaway province, and has vowed to reunify the island, including by force if necessary.