‘Internal affair’: China dismisses reported US mediation in Japan row

Beijing has warned against foreign interference in its internal affairs following reports that US President Donald Trump privately pressed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to dial back her rhetoric on Taiwan.

During a call on Tuesday, the US leader urged Takaichi not to provoke China, according to a Wall Street Journal report that cited government officials.

While reportedly briefed on Takaichi’s domestic political constraints, Trump asked her to “temper” her tone, but stopped short of echoing Beijing’s demand for a full retraction.

Tokyo rejected the claims and denied that Trump advised Takaichi to avoid provoking China over Taiwan, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said on Thursday afternoon at a regular media briefing.

China’s foreign ministry on Thursday declined to comment on the call between the two leaders, stating that it was a matter between the US and Japan.

“The Taiwan question is China’s internal affair and brooks no external interference,” ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said.