The relationship between Japan and China spans thousands of years, but since the mid-19th Century, where Japan startet embrazing Westernization, the two nations have been at war several times. The first war broke out in 1894 and ended in 1895 with China ceding several territories,

Beijing is flexing its might to show its displeasure with the Japanese leader’s comments about defending Taiwan, but its aggressive approach risks backfiring.

Both countries have summoned each other’s ambassadors after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could draw a military response from Tokyo.

Japan will suffer a “crushing defeat” by the Chinese military if it tries to use force to intervene over Taiwan, China’s defence ministry said on Friday, ramping up the rhetoric over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks about the island.

A Chinese diplomat’s call to cut off the prime minister’s “filthy head” signaled a revival of a combative style Beijing had tried to dial back.

BEIJING--Japan will suffer a “crushing defeat” by the Chinese military if it tries to use force to intervene over Taiwan, China’s defense ministry said on Friday, ramping up the rhetoric over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks about the island.