China warns Japan over its Indo-Pacific strategy amid tensions

On 2026-04-30, the Chinese Foreign Ministry publicly opposed Japan's planned 'free and open Indo-Pacific' initiative and said it could promote bloc confrontation. Spokesman Lin Jian made the remarks in Beijing, warning that Japan should not target a third party or stir up camp confrontation. The statement was directed at Japan amid reported plans for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to outline the strategy during a Vietnam visit.