Japan's intention to deploy offensive weapons near China's Taiwan region requires high vigilance from the international community, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday.

As China reportedly mulls a ban on Japanese seafood amid a standoff between the Asian neighbors, Taiwan's leader shows support for Tokyo, with his lunch.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited Yonaguni Island — which is only around 110 kilometers away from the island of Taiwan — on Sunday and sought understanding from the locals over a plan to place the missiles there.

China sent a letter to the United Nations vowing resolute self-defense if Japan “dared to intervene militarily in the Taiwan Strait,” as Beijing tries to rally international support for its position on the spiraling spat.

Tension between Japan and China has escalated over the new Japanese leader's suggestion Tokyo could intervene militarily if Beijing attacks Taiwan.

Taiwan has lifted all restrictions on food imports from Japan that were introduced after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, the Taiwanese and Japanese governments said on Friday. "Based on scientific data,

The official said Japan had Taiwan’s highest-level support. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.