John Lee, the chief executive of Hong Kong, expresses his support for Beijing in the conflict with Japan, provoked by Prime Minister Takaichi's statements about Taiwan.

John Lee, the leader of Hong Kong, announced on Monday that he supports the Beijing government in the context of the diplomatic dispute with Japan, generated by the comments of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan. Lee stated that Takaichi's remarks have severely deteriorated the atmosphere of relations between China and Japan, raising questions about the effectiveness of bilateral exchanges.

The dispute escalated in November when Takaichi stated that a Chinese intervention in Taiwan could provoke a military response from Japan. Additionally, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized Japan's position, and Hong Kong suspended diplomatic contacts with Tokyo. Authorities in Hong Kong have updated travel warnings for Japan, recommending vigilance. Japan remains a popular destination for residents of Hong Kong, with 2.68 million visitors in 2024.