Seoul: Senior diplomats from South Korea and China are expected to hold talks on bilateral relations and other shared issues next month, sources revealed on Tuesday. This development comes amidst rising tensions between China and Japan following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi concerning Taiwan.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the two countries are in discussions to arrange a "strategic dialogue" between First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo and Ma Zhaoxu, China's executive vice foreign minister, slated to take place in Beijing in December. This dialogue aims to serve as a follow-up to the recent summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting in Gyeongju on November 1.

Xi's visit to South Korea marked his first trip to the country in 11 years. During the upcoming talks, the vice ministers are likely to address the escalating tensions between Beijing and Tokyo. The tensions were heightened after Takaichi suggested that a military attack on Taiwan could lead to a response by Japan's Self-Defense Forces, describing it as a situation that threatens Japan's survival.

China has strongly condemned Japan's stance and called for Takaichi to retract her remarks, which Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described as crossing a "red line." In response, China has advised its citizens against traveling to Japan and has suspended its decision to resume seafood imports from the country.

China maintains that Taiwan, self-governed since 1949, is a part of its territory and must be reunified by force if necessary. It has consistently opposed any country that challenges this position. The strategic talks between South Korea and China may also touch upon South Korea's initiative to build nuclear-powered submarines, a move recently approved by U.S. President Donald Trump after his summit with Lee in Gyeongju. China has expressed concern over Seoul's intent to acquire such a strategic asset.