The two called for “peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait” in a joint statement released on Friday, following talks that also covered the region’s other major flashpoints.
It was the first time that the leaders of the two countries had mentioned Taiwan in a joint statement since 1969.
A statement from the Chinese embassy in the US expressed “strong concern and firm opposition” to the statement and vowed that China would resolutely defend its national sovereignty, security and development interests.
“These comments have gone far beyond the scope of normal development of bilateral relations. They are harmful to the interests of a third party, to mutual understanding and trust between regional countries, and to peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific,” the statement said.
“It cannot be more ironic that such attempt of stoking division and building blocs against other countries is put under the banner of ‘free and open.”
Suga visited Biden at the White House on Friday for wide-ranging talks that touched on all the flashpoints with China, including Taiwan, the South China Sea, Xinjiang and Hong Kong as well as the disputed Diaoyu Islands, which are known as the Senkakus in Japan.
Following the meeting, Suga told a press conference: “We agreed to oppose any attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East and South China seas and intimidation of others in the region.”
The Chinese embassy’s statement warned that Japan and the US would “only end up hurting themselves” through their actions.
In a telephone call with his counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi in early April, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned Japan not to “get involved in the so-called confrontation between major countries”.
