As Japan pokes at Taiwan, Xi’s most ruthless partner is pulled into a brewing regional confrontation

During a high-profile meeting in Moscow, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Russia to help “resist the revival of Japanese militarism,” warning that Japan’s recent statements and military posture pose growing regional risks. The remarks come after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned Tokyo would deploy forces if China attempted to seize Taiwan by force, triggering strong backlash from Beijing. Meanwhile, Chinese and Japanese coast guard vessels confronted each other on December 2 near the disputed islands, with both sides issuing conflicting accounts of the incident. As Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin deepen cooperation through multiple summits this year, analysts say the China-Russia axis is becoming more coordinated in countering U.S. influence, managing Taiwan tensions, and responding to Japan’s security shift. Regional fears of escalation continue to rise.