Japan's Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi. Photo: VCG

The Chinese Embassy in Vietnam on Tuesday condemned Japan's Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi's attacking remarks and said it strongly opposed Japan's interference in China's internal affairs through the Taiwan question.

During his visit to Vietnam, Kishi criticized China for "trying to change the status quo through strength" and vilified China's Coast Guard Law for escalating tensions in East China Sea and South China Sea. He also wantonly interfered into the Taiwan question, which is China's internal affair.

The embassy refuted and condemned the attacking remarks. The Embassy reiterated three points as follows in its statement.

As China's regular legislation, the Coast Guard Law was enacted in accordance with international laws and practices and doesn't target any country. Multiple countries including Japan have made and enforced similar laws and regulations. China has never changed its proposition on its maritime rights and interests, nor addressed sea disputes through forces or military coercion.

The Diaoyu Islands and its affiliated islands are China's inherent territory. The fact is that it is not China but Japan that tries to "change the status quo through strength" in the Diaoyu Islands. "Japan is a thief crying 'stop thief,'" the embassy said. 

Japan is the least qualified to comment on the Taiwan question for it invaded and colonized the Taiwan island. We urge Japan not to underestimate Chinese people's resolution and capability to safeguard their national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the embassy said.