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A Chinese diplomatic spokesmanhas issued a statement denying "association" with the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
A statement was issued by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday via spokesman Zhao Lijian.
Chinese officials from the ministry said they were shocked by the news of the death of Prime Minister Abeand followed up on previous condolences sent to the Japanese people.
"We certainly want to pay tribute to his family," said Lijian, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Japan's assassination of Shinzo Abe: China sends condolences
The gesture of Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held in Beijing on July 6, 2022. (AP Photo / Liu Chung)
"I say this unexpected incident should not be related to Japan-China relations. I have fully expressed my position, "said Rizian.
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Regen reportedly celebrates Abe's death in Chinese social Refused to comment on media trends.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Talks December 23, 2019 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China.(Xinhua / Li Xueren via GettyImages)
Prime Minister Abe's first policy in Japanis second Since the end of World War II, Japan has been flapping its wings throughout East Asia, where it has maintained relations with China and South Korea.
Japan and China have fought over the ownership of the Senkaku Islands,the archipelago between mainland China and Japan.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian at a press conference Attendance December. 20, 2021, in Beijing, China. (VCG / VCG via Getty Images)
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The People's Republic of China has previously issued a naive statement lamenting the death of the former Prime Minister.
Beijing used a heartfelt tone in its Friday statement, despite long-standing tensions between the Abe Cabinet and the Chinese Communist Party. The late Prime Minister regularly met with President Xi Jinpingduring his tenure.
"Former Prime Minister Abe helped improve Japan-China relations during his term," a spokesman for the Chinese embassy told Reuters on Friday.
