China Imposes Sanctions on Japanese Lawmaker Over Taiwan and Hong Kong Comments

TDT | Beijing

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China announced on Monday its first-ever sanctions against an individual Japanese lawmaker, targeting Hei Seki (also known as Shi Ping) for allegedly spreading false information on issues including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and disputed islands. The move sparked a formal protest from Tokyo.

China and Japan have long-standing tensions over islands in the East China Sea claimed by both countries. Beijing considers foreign criticism on sensitive topics as interference in its internal affairs.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian accused Seki, a naturalized Japanese citizen, of colluding with anti-China forces and attacking China for personal gain. “For his own selfish interests, he has forgotten his roots, betrayed his conscience, and provoked trouble,” Lin said.

A separate ministry statement said Seki had violated the one-China principle by challenging Beijing’s claim over Taiwan and cited his visits to Japan’s Yasukuni Shrine, which honors war dead, including World War II war criminals.

Under the sanctions, China will freeze Seki’s assets in the country, bar Chinese entities from doing business with him, and deny entry visas to him and his family.

A Japanese foreign ministry official confirmed that this is the first time a Japanese politician has been sanctioned by China. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Tokyo had formally protested and demanded that China withdraw the measures.