The remarks come amid the two countries’ worst diplomatic crisis in years, after the Japanese prime minister said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

China closed off Japanese seafood imports after Japan’s new leader declared strong support for Taiwan. Suddenly, sushi is everywhere on Taiwanese social media.

Last week, Tokyo’s top defense official toured Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) and Coast Guard facilities across the southwestern islands – including a base located 70 nautical miles away from Taiwan.

China's defence ministry said on Thursday that Japan will have to pay a "painful price" if it steps out of line over Taiwan, responding to Japanese plans to deploy missiles on an island some 100 km (62 miles) from Taiwan's coast.

Japan’s defense minister, visiting a military base close to Taiwan, said plans to deploy missiles to the post were on track as tensions smolder between Tokyo and Beijing over the East Asian island.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says Japan has "crossed a red line” with comments by the country's new leader suggesting a potential military intervention over Taiwan

Japan is rejecting a Wall Street Journal report claiming US President Donald Trump asked Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to moderate her stance on Taiwan. The article cited US and Japanese officials, and was published amid escalating tensions between Beijing and Tokyo following Takaichi’s comment that an attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Japan.