Tue Nov 18 06:30:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:

Tensions Rise as Japan Sends Diplomat to China Over Taiwan Remarks and “Beheading” Controversy

Beijing, China – Amid escalating tensions between Japan and China, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dispatched Masaaki Kanai, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, to Beijing on Monday. The move comes in response to controversial remarks made by Japanese Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding potential Japanese involvement in the event of a crisis in Taiwan, as well as inflammatory social media posts by the Chinese Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, who appeared to threaten the Japanese Prime Minister.

Takaichi’s comments on potential “existential crisis” scenarios and the possible exercise of collective self-defense in the event of a Taiwan emergency drew sharp criticism from Beijing, who accused her of interfering in China’s internal affairs. State-controlled media outlets have continued to denounce her stance as “dangerous” and “provocative.”

Kanai is expected to explain that Takaichi’s remarks do not represent a change in Japan’s security policy and to urge China to avoid allowing political disputes to impact people-to-people exchanges. He will also reportedly lodge a strong protest against Consul General Xue Jian’s social media post, deemed a veiled threat against Takaichi.

In recent days, China has responded to the situation with a series of countermeasures, including travel advisories warning Chinese citizens against visiting Japan due to alleged safety concerns. Multiple Chinese travel agencies have reportedly suspended sales of tour packages to Japan, impacting the Japanese stock market, particularly tourism and business-related sectors. Further signaling strained relations, China announced there would be no meeting between Premier Li Qiang and Japanese leaders at the upcoming G20 summit. Additionally, the “Tokyo-Beijing Forum,” a joint initiative between Japanese and Chinese non-profit organizations, has been postponed. The Chinese side cited Takaichi’s Taiwan comments as the reason for the postponement. Adding to the tensions, China announced live-fire military drills in the Yellow Sea near Japan, as well as patrols by Chinese coast guard vessels in the East China Sea near the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. Japan has also summoned the Chinese ambassador to lodge a formal complaint.

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