China warns India and Japan against targeting third parties in bilateral ties

On July 3, 2026, Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, cautioned that international cooperation must not come at the expense of others' interests. This warning followed significant initiatives revealed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Guo's remarks underscore China's apprehensions about the growing relationship between India and Japan, especially in light of increasing tensions surrounding regional security and supply chain dependencies.

BRIC Team

Jul 3, 2026 · 1 min read · 6 views

China warns India and Japan against targeting third parties in bilateral ties

Key Takeaways

•China controls approximately 70% of global rare earth mining and nearly 90% of its processing, crucial for electronics and defense equipment.
•On July 2, 2026, India and Japan announced a defense pact for co-developing military hardware during Takaichi's visit to New Delhi.
•Guo Jiakun stated, 'It is the common responsibility of all countries to keep the global industrial and supply chains safe and stable.'
•Takaichi's warning about potential military response to a Chinese attack on Taiwan has escalated tensions between Japan and China.
•India and Japan expressed 'serious concern' over actions in the East China Sea and South China Sea threatening freedom of navigation.

China warned cooperation shouldn't target third parties or undercut others' interests. This came July 3,2026,after new India-Japan initiatives were revealed during Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's New Delhi visit.

At a media briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stressed bilateral ties must build trust among regional nations. "Cooperation between countries should be conducive to enhancing the understanding and trust among regional countries and safeguarding peace and stability in the region," he said. His comments addressed questions on critical minerals talks aimed at bolstering supply chain resilience.

Guo added such partnerships mustn't form exclusive groups sparking division. "It is the common responsibility of all countries to keep the global industrial and supply chains safe and stable," he noted. spokesperson urged openness and constructive engagement from all sides.

On July 2,after discussions between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Takaichi,the nations rolled out landmark initiatives. An economic partnership framework, defense pact to co-develop military hardware, and enhanced energy cooperation to tackle oil supply shocks were among them. They voiced "serious concern" over situations in East China Sea and South China Sea, opposing unilateral actions threatening navigation freedom and attempts to change the status quo by force.

Takaichi's visit closely watched by Beijing,especially with Japan-China ties strained. Takaichi had previously suggested Japan might respond militarily if China attacked Taiwan,a self-governed island Beijing sees as a breakaway province . This comment triggered strong backlash from China,which then tightened rare earth exports to Japan,US,India, and others, using its dominant sector position.

China controls about 70% of global rare earth mining, nearly 90% of processing. These minerals are crucial for producing electronics,automobiles,wind energy tech,defense gear. Recent India-Japan developments,especially around supply chains,defense,have ratcheted up regional tensions…

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