Episode Details

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's latest "softened" remarks on China represent a calculated attempt at rhetorical maneuvering. If Takaichi genuinely seeks dialogue with Beijing, she must start from retracting her erroneous and dangerous remarks on the Taiwan question. Otherwise, she is merely misleading the Japanese public and the international community to deflect growing criticism.

日本首相高市早苗近期对华释放的一系列所谓缓和言论，不过是精心算计的话术博弈。倘若她真心希望同中方开展对话，首要之举便是收回其在台湾问题上发表的错误且危险言论。如若不然，她只是在蒙蔽日本民众与国际社会，借此转嫁外界日益增多的批评之声。

During the question-and-answer session at a news conference in Tokyo on Monday, Takaichi said her government had "consistently promoted a strategic mutually beneficial relationship with China and built a constructive and stable relationship". She also claimed that she looked forward to the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting to be held in China later this year as an opportunity for dialogue.

周一，高市早苗在东京记者会问答环节称，日本政府“始终致力于推进中日战略互惠关系，构建富有建设性、稳定的双边关系”。她还表示，期待今年下半年在中国举办的亚太经合组织领导人非正式会议能够成为中日对话契机。

Such statements ring hollow when she continues to evade the reasons why relations have soured and seeks to shift the blame onto others.

然而日方始终回避中日关系恶化的根源、一味推诿责任，这番说辞听来空洞乏味、毫无诚意。

During Monday's news conference, when a TBS reporter claimed in his question that Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi "had held talks" with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, Takaichi responded that "Japan was engaging with China at various levels", including through Motegi, and would continue communicating with the Chinese side.

周一记者会上，日本TBS电视台一名记者提问时称，日本外务大臣茂木敏充在马尼拉举行的东盟外长会期间同中国外长王毅举行了会谈。对此高市早苗回应称，日本正通过茂木敏充等渠道同中方开展各层级沟通，后续还将持续与中方交流。

However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian had twice made it clear, the latest being on Monday, that no contact had taken place between the two foreign ministers in Manila.

但中国外交部发言人林剑已两次明确表态（周一刚刚再度重申），两国外长并未在马尼拉进行任何会面接触。

It is absurd for the Japanese side to continue playing word games and pretend that communication between the two sides remains normal.