After Sanae Takaichi of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, who has revealed a hardline conservative ideology, was elected as Japan's new prime minister on the 21st, the Chinese government said Japan must keep its political commitments on historical issues.
Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at an afternoon briefing that Japan and China are close neighbors and that China's basic position is consistent and clear regarding Takaichi's election as prime minister.
Spokesperson Guo said, "We hope Japan will face China, abide by the principles of the four major political documents between China and Japan, and keep its political commitments on major issues such as history and Taiwan," adding, "We hope to safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations and advance the China-Japan relationship of strategic reciprocity in an all-around way."
The four major political documents mentioned appear to refer to the 1972 China-Japan Joint Communiqué, the 1978 Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan, the 1998 Joint Declaration on Building a Friendly and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Development between China and Japan, and the 2008 Joint Statement on "advancing the China-Japan relationship of strategic reciprocity in an all-around way." These documents state that Japan respects the "one China" principle, that the two countries respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that they oppose the pursuit of hegemony.
Prime Minister Takaichi has long displayed a strong right-wing inclination, including regularly visiting Yasukuni Shrine, raising concern that she could spark conflicts with neighboring countries, including South Korea and China, over historical issues.