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Chinese envoy to Japan slams Quad as ‘100 per cent outdated’, says Beijing wouldn’t seek to seize disputed Diaoyus
- Kong Xuanyou urged Tokyo to depart from the US-aligned diplomacy and strengthen ties with Beijing by exerting ‘strategic independence’
- The diplomat also said he expects Japan to ‘successfully host the Olympics in a safe and secure manner’
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Chinese ambassador to Japan Kong Xuanyou on Tuesday criticised the Quad grouping comprising the United States, Japan, India and Australia as representing a “cold war mentality” and “100 per cent outdated.”
In an interview with Kyodo, Kong urged Japan to depart from diplomacy that follows in the steps of its ally the US and to strengthen ties with China by exerting “strategic independence.”
Japan “can keep a good balance” in its respective relations with China and the US, he said.
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The Quad grouping of the four major Indo-Pacific democracies is widely seen as a united front against China’s attempts to challenge the rules-based international order.
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After Quad summit discusses China threat, Beijing says ‘cliques’ drive wedge between countries
After Quad summit discusses China threat, Beijing says ‘cliques’ drive wedge between countries
With 2022 marking the 50th anniversary of the normalisation of China’s diplomatic ties with Japan, Kong expressed hope that Tokyo will continue to be a cooperative partner for the next 50 years.
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