China's Consul General in Osaka criticizes Japan, calling it ``anti-China world champion''

On the 24th, China's Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, said at an event to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the country's founding held in Osaka City, ``Japan is the world champion of anti-China sentiment.'' In November last year, Mr. Xue caused controversy when he posted on social media, ``I'll cut off your dirty head,'' in response to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments regarding the Taiwan emergency situation. This was the first time he appeared to the Japanese press since the riots.

Mr. Xue asserted that Japan views China as its "biggest strategic challenge ever." He cited "prejudice and contempt for China that has remained deeply rooted in Japanese society since the Meiji Restoration" as the cause.

Furthermore, he emphasized that ``China is by no means a threat that should be viewed as an enemy or excluded.'' Through the activities of the consulate general, he said, ``We will lead the way in building momentum to get China-Japan relations back on a normal track.''

He did not mention Takaichi's remarks or his own SNS posts.