China protests against Japanese lawmaker's blunt remarks

Beijing has lodged a strong protest against Tokyo for not reining in a China-born Japanese lawmaker who has been making false statements, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

The ministry announced countermeasures on Monday against lawmaker Shi Ping, whose Japanese name is Seki Hei, for "serious meddling in China's internal affairs and damaging its sovereignty and territorial integrity".

The Japanese lawmaker has been repeatedly making false claims on the Taiwan question, the Diaoyu Islands, history and issues related to Xinjiang, Xizang and Hong Kong.

He also visited the Yasukuni Shrine, which has enshrined 14 Class-A Japanese war criminals.

Later, on Monday, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said China's decision to impose sanctions "appears to intimidate those with differing views" and is "absolutely unacceptable".

Japan has demanded through diplomatic channels that China immediately revoke its countermeasures, Hayashi said.

Shi said China's sanctions serve as proof of his legitimate political activities in Japan and represent a "badge of honor".

In response, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Shi is by no means a person "with differing views "as described by the Japanese side.

"He once held Chinese nationality. After moving to Japan and acquiring Japanese nationality, he willingly pledged allegiance to the hostile anti-China forces for his selfish interests," Lin told a daily news conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

Lin said Shi has attacked and slandered China relentlessly. After being elected as a member of the House of Councillors of the National Diet of Japan, he paid homage at the Yasukuni Shrine.

The Japanese lawmaker "seriously violates the spirit of the four China-Japan political documents and the one-China principle, grossly interferes in China's internal affairs, and severely damages China's sovereignty and territorial integrity", Lin said. "He is a complete anti-China element.

"China's countermeasures against Shi Ping are a righteous act based on China's laws and defending national interests, and are in line with common international practices," he added.

The Japanese government "has failed to restrain the Diet member's erroneous words and actions that violate the spirit of the four China-Japan political documents", and it has blamed China in return, Lin said.

"China expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to this, and has lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side."