July 10, 2020

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on July 9 at a press conference in the Diet building said that Prime Minister Abe Shinzo should stop requesting Chinese President Xi Jinping to come to Japan.

As reasons, Shii cited China’s enforcement of the National Security Law suppressing the rights of citizens in Hong Kong and its controversial moves to change the status quo in the East China Sea and South China Sea.

Shii criticized China’s oppression of Hong Kong by saying, “It is nothing but a truly unlawful and outrageous act which violently breaks its international commitment of ‘One Country, Two Systems’.” Noting that China’s moves to alter the status quo in the East and South China Seas with the use of force are escalating, Shii stressed, “The Chinese government shows no signs of reflecting on or reviewing such moves. It completely refuses to listen to other countries’ criticisms. Under the current situation, even if Abe asks Xi to come to Japan and his visit is realized, it is extremely unlikely that positive results will follow.”

Furthermore, Shii pointed out, “There is grave concern that Xi’s visit to Japan could result in the impression that Japan effectively gives its approval to a number of unlawful acts by the Chinese leadership in the international arena.” Stating, “The fact that the Japanese government keeps inviting Xi to Japan will create a situation in which Japan cannot speak candidly to China,” Shii insisted, “The Japanese government should decide to stop requesting the Chinese president to come to Japan.”

Past related articles:
> JCP protests the enactment of 'Hong Kong National Security Law' and calls for its withdrawal [July 1, 2020]
> Shii protests China's chasing away Japanese fishing boat [May 10, 2020]