China News
TAIWAN NEWS
China-sanctioned Japan lawmaker says Taiwan 'independent'

China-sanctioned Japan lawmaker says Taiwan 'independent'

by AFP Staff Writers
Taipei (AFP) Jan 6, 2026

A China-born Japanese lawmaker sanctioned by Beijing arrived in Taipei on Tuesday, vowing to tell the world that "Taiwan is an independent country".

Hei Seki, a member of Japan's parliament, was sanctioned in September by China and banned from entering the country for "spreading fallacies" on issues such as Taiwan, Hong Kong and disputed islands.

China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has an ongoing spat with Tokyo over islands in the East China Sea claimed by both countries, and considers foreign criticism on sensitive political topics to be acts of interference.

"The fact that I am able today to smoothly enter Taiwan... fully demonstrates that the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China are completely two different countries," Seki told reporters, using Taiwan's official name.

"I came to Taiwan today, first of all, to prove this point, and to tell the world that Taiwan is an independent country," he said.

China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters at a press briefing the "rantings of petty villains aren't worth responding to."

Seki will attend a banquet on Tuesday, along with Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai, the Indo-Pacific Strategy Thinktank in Taipei, which is hosting Seki's visit, said.

China's foreign ministry said previously that Seki, a naturalised Japanese citizen, had "spread false information, colluded with Japanese anti-China forces, and wantonly attacked and smeared China".

The ministry also cited visits by Seki, who is also known by his Chinese name Shi Ping, to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honours Japan's war dead including several World War II war criminals.

China has said it would freeze Seki's assets in the country, forbid Chinese entities from conducting transactions with him, and deny entry visas to him or his family.

Japanese officials said at the time that Seki was the first Japanese lawmaker to be sanctioned by the Chinese government and that Tokyo had lodged a protest with China to demand it withdraw the measures.

While Japan and Taiwan do not have formal diplomatic ties, Japanese lawmakers often visit the democratic island.

Related Links
Taiwan News at SinoDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
TAIWAN NEWS
Taiwan's president vows to defend sovereignty after China drills
Taipei (AFP) Jan 1, 2026
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te vowed on Thursday to defend the democratic island's sovereignty in a New Year's speech, after China carried out military drills. Beijing launched missiles and deployed dozens of fighter jets, navy ships and coastguard vessels this week to encircle Taiwan's main island, in exercises condemned by Taipei as "highly provocative". China claims democratic Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex it. "My stance has always been clear: ... read more

TAIWAN NEWS
China harnesses nationwide system to drive spaceflight and satellite navigation advances

Shenzhou 21 crew complete eight hour spacewalk outside Tiangong station

Foreign satellites ride Kinetica 1 on new CAS Space mission

Experts at Hainan symposium call for stronger global space partnership

TAIWAN NEWS
Asian markets mixed as traders eye US jobs data

Japan urges China to drop 'unacceptable' new export controls

Oil extends losses as Trump flags Venezuela shipments, stocks mixed

Canada's Carney to visit China, signaling thaw in relations

TAIWAN NEWS
TAIWAN NEWS
Trump says doubts 'NATO would be there for us' if needed

Could Trump's desire for Greenland blow up NATO?

Macron says allies agree 'robust' security guarantees for Ukraine; Germany could join multinational force

US would lead Ukraine ceasefire force; Turkey says Europe should take responsibility for own security

TAIWAN NEWS
Crown ether resins modeled for precise gadolinium isotope separation

Japan nuclear official loses phone with confidential data in China

Microbes join forces to quickly clean up uranium pollution

Project Pele microreactor reaches key milestone with first TRISO fuel delivery

TAIWAN NEWS
Lithuania assessing damage to undersea telecom cable to Latvia

Tech campaigner decries US 'punishment' after visa sanctions

China says strengthens controls on dual-use exports to Japan

Israel's govt says ban on Gaza media access should stay: court document

TAIWAN NEWS
Crown ether resins modeled for precise gadolinium isotope separation

Japan nuclear official loses phone with confidential data in China

Microbes join forces to quickly clean up uranium pollution

Project Pele microreactor reaches key milestone with first TRISO fuel delivery

TAIWAN NEWS
Trump gets wrong country, wrong bird in windmill rant

S.Africa seeks to save birds from wind turbine risks

Vertical wind turbines may soon power UK railways using tunnel airflow

Danish wind giant Orsted to cut workforce by a quarter

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.