Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae says Taiwan is an important partner and friend, and she looks forward to strengthening cooperation and exchanges. Beijing has lodged a protest over the meeting.
Takaichi met with Taiwan's APEC representative Lin Hsin-i in Gyeongju, South Korea on Saturday.
Takaichi touched on deepening economic relations between Japan and Taiwan in recent years, as well as their cooperation on disaster preparedness.
She said Taiwan is a very important partner and a friend with close economic ties. She went on to say she wants to continue to deepen cooperation and exchanges between Japan and Taiwan in a wide range of fields.
Takaichi also stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Lin expressed hope for a stronger relationship between Taiwan and Japan.
Takaichi also underscored the importance of peace and stability in the region in her meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping the previous day.
A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Saturday over Takaichi's post on social media about her meeting with the representative.
In the statement, the ministry said the meeting violates the "one-China" principle and sends a wrong signal to Taiwan's pro-independence forces. It said China firmly opposes the move and has lodged a strong protest with Japan.
The ministry also urged Japan to stop interfering in China's internal affairs and to put into practice its commitment to building a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship.
China had said after Friday's summit that Xi and Takaichi reaffirmed the two countries would promote their "strategic relationship of mutual benefit." It also called on Japan to not undermine the foundation of Japan-China relations over issues related to Taiwan and historical recognition.

Quiz 1:
With whom did Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae meet in Gyeongju, South Korea on Saturday?
A. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un
B. Chinese President Xi Jinping
C. Taiwan's APEC representative Lin Hsin-i
D. Russian President Vladimir Putin

Quiz 2:
What principle does China claim that the meeting between Takaichi and Lin violated?
A. The "one-China" policy
B. The "two Koreas" policy
C. The "mutual benefit" policy
D. The "historical recognition" policy

Quiz 3:
What did Takaichi emphasize in her meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping the previous day?
A. The importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait
B. The need for Japan to stop interfering in China's internal affairs
C. The importance of deepening economic relations between Japan and Taiwan
D. The need for Japan to acknowledge historical wrongs committed against China