• China accuses Japan of threatening armed intervention over Taiwan at the UN.
• Japanese PM Takaichi's comments spark a strong backlash from Beijing.
• The dispute has escalated into a trade conflict impacting businesses on both sides.
• China emphasizes its legal claims over Taiwan based on postwar declarations.
• Japan's military response discussions mark a shift in its longstanding policy on Taiwan.

China has brought its ongoing tensions with Japan regarding Taiwan to the United Nations, accusing Tokyo of threatening "an armed intervention" and vowing a firm defense in what is described as a significant escalation within a two-week-old dispute. According to China's UN Ambassador, Fu Cong, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks about potential military responses to a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan amount to "a grave violation of international law" and have provoked a strong response from Beijing, which views any intervention as an act of aggression. "China will resolutely exercise its right of self-defence under the UN Charter," Fu stated, signaling a tense diplomatic climate surrounding the issue of Taiwan's status, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Takaichi's comments, made during a parliamentary session on November 7, marked a departure from Japan's historical ambiguity concerning its military stance towards Taiwan, as she indicated that a response could be warranted if China were to act against Taiwan. This shift has been characterized by analysts as potentially the most significant in Japan's security policy regarding Taiwan since the end of World War II. The statements have led to immediate protests from China, which has demanded Takaichi retract her comments, according to Al Jazeera and India Times.

The spat has quickly escalated from diplomatic rhetoric to a broader trade conflict, affecting cooperation between Japanese and Chinese businesses. Reports indicate that China has begun to impose travel advisories targeting Japan’s tourism sector and has disrupted cultural exchanges by suspending events and banning certain Japanese products, including seafood. This deterioration of relations has been described as having "severely damaged" trade ties, an essential aspect for both countries, as they are significant trading partners, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and Al Jazeera.

The background of this dispute is rooted in China's longstanding claims over Taiwan, which it views as part of its territory, and Japan's historical role in the region. As tensions rise over Taiwan, both countries are reminded of their tumultuous past, and the declarations made after World War II have surfaced as part of the justification for China’s position. Tensions are further exacerbated by territorial disputes in the East China Sea, particularly over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, highlighting the complex and multifaceted nature of Sino-Japanese relations, as noted by Channel News Asia, Al Jazeera, and India Times.