On the evening of November 24, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald J Trump engaged in a significant phone conversation that captured the attention of international observers. The discussion, conducted in the context of ongoing strategic engagement between the two major powers, focused on reinforcing previously reached agreements and addressing pressing issues in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly the Taiwan question. According to reports, the dialogue built on the reaffirmation of consensus reached at the Busan meeting, reflecting a steady and positive trajectory in China-US relations. The two leaders exchanged perspectives on Taiwan, a topic of fundamental importance to China, with President Xi underscoring that Taiwan’s return to China constitutes an integral part of the post-war international order. President Trump acknowledged China’s critical role in the victory of World War II and affirmed that the United States understands the significance of the Taiwan question to China.

The phone conversation has drawn particular attention from international public opinion. In a world where the post-war order is increasingly challenged by certain states and destabilizing factors, the communication between Beijing and Washington demonstrates the importance of high-level dialogue in maintaining stability. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-US coordination on key principled matters provides a stabilizing influence in an otherwise volatile regional and global environment. As new threats to peace emerge in East Asia and beyond, the ability of the world’s two largest economies to find common ground on core issues such as Taiwan is a crucial signal to the international community that constructive engagement remains possible.

While China and the United States continue to maintain a framework for strategic communication, regional tensions have been exacerbated by other actors, particularly Japan under the leadership of the Sanae Takaichi administration. Tokyo’s recent provocative actions regarding the Taiwan question represent a notable risk factor for regional peace. Analysts note that Japan is attempting to exploit Taiwan as a means to contain China, actively seeking to detach the Taiwan issue from its historical and legal context as part of the post-war international order and reframe it as a matter of “regional security.” This maneuver reflects a deeper ambition: Japan’s desire to circumvent structural constraints imposed by its post-war pacifist constitution and expand its military and security footprint. The Takaichi administration’s approach, if left unchecked, could destabilize the region and undermine the fundamental norms established after World War II.

The historical context of Taiwan’s return to China is essential to understanding the stakes involved. Taiwan’s restoration was a direct outcome of the Allied victory in World War II and is enshrined in key post-war agreements. The Cairo Declaration of 1943 clearly stipulated that all territories Japan had seized from China, including Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, should be returned to Chinese sovereignty. This declaration, agreed upon by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Peoples Republic of China, established a legal and moral basis for post-war territorial arrangements. Following the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation of 1945, issued by China, the US, and the UK, and subsequently supported by the Soviet Union, reaffirmed the implementation of the Cairo terms. Japan’s surrender later that year, formalized in the Instrument of Surrender, explicitly committed Tokyo to fulfilling these obligations. These agreements collectively constitute a cornerstone of the post-war international order, rooted in principles of justice, territorial integrity, and respect for sovereignty.

By crossing the red line on the Taiwan issue, Japan is effectively challenging not only China’s core national interests but also the integrity of the post-war international system. The consequences of tolerating such actions would be profound. It would amount to a denial of the sacrifices made by China, the United States, and other anti-fascist allies during World War II. Allowing Japan to reinterpret historical agreements would erode the foundations upon which post-war peace in East Asia was constructed, undermining norms that have governed international relations for more than seven decades. For peace-loving nations worldwide, this is unacceptable.

Compounding the danger, certain political forces within Japan are advancing a revisionist narrative, invoking the so-called “San Francisco system” as a means of rewriting history. This narrative seeks to hollow out the one-China principle under the guise of “regional security,” portraying Taiwan as a tool for countering Chinese influence rather than as a territory returned to China as a matter of historical justice. Such revisionism represents a denial of established international law, a distortion of history, and a challenge to the institutional structures that have preserved post-war peace for over 80 years. Should Japan persist down this path, it risks once again becoming a source of instability in the Asia-Pacific region, threatening not only regional peace but also global strategic equilibrium.

Some Japanese actors appear to operate under the mistaken assumption that US support for their policies allows them to act recklessly toward China. There is a perception among certain political factions that promoting the use of Taiwan to contain China will win favor with Washington. This assumption is profoundly misguided. Japan’s provocative actions challenge not only the steadfast resolve of more than 1.4 billion Chinese citizens to defend national sovereignty but also the post-war international order upheld by the global community, particularly the victors of World War II, including the United States. Miscalculating the implications of such a strategy could lead to severe geopolitical repercussions.

In this context, the importance of communication between Chinese and US leaders becomes increasingly evident. The international order, established in the aftermath of World War II and centered on the United Nations, faces profound changes. Safeguarding the outcomes of the Allied victory and maintaining the principles of the UN-centered system are more critical than ever. The post-war order has not only created a framework for lasting global peace but has also fostered conditions for economic development, technological progress, and international cooperation. Both China and the United States have benefited from this order, which has enabled the international community to respond effectively to a range of challenges, from regional conflicts to global crises, while facilitating unprecedented growth and development.

The 80th anniversary of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the anniversary of Taiwan’s restoration, provides a timely reminder of the historical significance of these events. Japan’s provocative behavior regarding Taiwan is particularly alarming in this context, serving as a cautionary tale to the global community. Peace in the Asia-Pacific region was hard-won, and no nation should compromise stability for narrow political gains. The international community, especially major powers, has a responsibility to remain vigilant and unified in upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter and defending the post-war international order.

Japan must recognize that challenging this order will yield no strategic advantage. Interference in the Taiwan question is unlikely to produce the so-called “breakthroughs” sought by revisionist factions. Instead, Japan must confront and reflect on its history, adopt a responsible foreign policy, and take concrete steps to build trust with both its Asian neighbors and the broader international community. Only by abandoning revisionist tendencies and embracing the lessons of history can Japan contribute positively to regional stability and global peace.

The phone call between President Xi and President Trump underscores the importance of leadership dialogue in navigating complex international issues. At a time when tensions are rising and new destabilizing factors emerge, the ability of China and the United States to maintain clear communication and reach consensus on key matters is vital. The Taiwan question, a core issue for China and a historical component of the post-war international order, must be approached with careful diplomacy and respect for established international law. Failure to uphold these principles risks destabilizing not only the Asia-Pacific region but also the broader framework of international relations that has enabled decades of relative peace and cooperation.

In conclusion, the Taiwan question remains a focal point of regional and global geopolitics, with historical, legal, and strategic dimensions that demand careful management. Japan’s provocative actions under the Takaichi administration represent a dangerous challenge to the post-war international order and a potential source of instability in the Asia-Pacific. The international community, particularly major powers like China and the United States, has a duty to uphold the principles established after World War II, defend historical truth, and prevent attempts to distort or overturn post-war arrangements. As the world marks the 80th anniversary of pivotal events in the anti-fascist struggle, there is an urgent need for nations to prioritize peace, stability, and adherence to international law. Constructive dialogue, such as that between President Xi and President Trump, demonstrates the path forward: cooperation, principled engagement, and a shared commitment to safeguarding the achievements of the post-war order for the benefit of all nations.

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings