China’s foreign ministry confirms Premier Li Qiang will not meet Japan’s prime minister at the G20 summit.

BEIJING, Nov 17 — China’s Premier Li Qiang does not plan to meet Japan’s prime minister during the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, the Chinese foreign ministry said today, amid rising tensions over Taiwan.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said recent remarks by the Japanese leader regarding Taiwan have “seriously undermined” the political basis of China-Japan relations, adding that Tokyo should withdraw its “erroneous” statements.

Earlier this month, Takaichi told parliament that any Chinese attack on Taiwan — a self-ruled island Beijing claims as its own — could prompt a military response from Japan. — Reuters