Daily brief
Japan downgraded its description of China in its annual diplomatic report, prompting China to summon a Japanese diplomat and urge Tokyo to address what Beijing called erroneous remarks on Taiwan. China's foreign ministry said the root cause of the strained ties lies in Japanese leader Takaichi's fallacious statements on the Taiwan question. Japan also lowered its view of China relations amid ongoing tension over Taiwan.
China's Xi Jinping met a new face of Taiwan's opposition, and both stood against the island's independence, as the US and Japan watch.
Japan summoned a South Korean diplomat to protest Seoul's claims over the Dokdo islets, which Tokyo calls Takeshima, after the release of Japan's diplomatic bluebook.
Japan urged Israel and Hezbollah to immediately halt hostilities, expressing serious concern over the Israeli military operation in Lebanon that has killed thousands.
The US and Iran remain at odds over the Strait of Hormuz ahead of talks in Pakistan.