China’s diplomatic full-court press against Japan over its support for Taiwan has targeted President Trump, the United Nations and, now, two of Tokyo’s closest European partners. In separate talks with senior British and French officials last week, Beijing’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, alluded to their nations’ victories over Imperial Japan during World War II, urging them to side with China again in its deepening rift with Tokyo. His remarks were China’s latest bid to rally support in a dispute that has raged for weeks, since Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, suggested that her country could intervene militarily if China were to attack Taiwan.
Ms. Takaichi told Japan’s Parliament on Nov. 7 that any attempt by China to blockade or seize Taiwan could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, implying a potential military response. Her comments reflected a long-held Japanese policy, but one that has rarely been verbalized.

Full report : A diplomatic row with Japan over Taiwan has China turning to Britain and France for support, appealing to their shared history as wartime allies.