China Denies Japan's Claim of ASEAN Meeting Exchange Amid Taiwan Tensions

China Denies Japan's Claim of ASEAN Meeting Exchange Amid Taiwan Tensions

China has denied Japan's claim that their foreign ministers spoke briefly at last week's ASEAN regional meeting in the Philippines. The denial highlights the strain in ties between the two countries. Japan has been seeking chances to rebuild relations, but China has kept its distance as ties have worsened since November over remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about Taiwan. The tensions have also affected Japan's relations with other countries in the region. China's denial is seen as a sign of its continued assertiveness in the region. The situation is likely to remain tense in the coming days.