Hong Kong, Dec. 9 -- It seems Japan can do nothing but annoy China at the moment. Whatever the field - whether it is diplomatic, cultural, trade or military - Beijing is finding something to criticise or complain about in connection to Japan.

Ironically, for a country that proudly maintains that it never interferes in the internal affairs of others, China is doing a sterling job of inserting itself into and attempting to shape Japanese affairs, including at the highest levels.

Take Xue Jian, the Chinese Consul General in Osaka, for example, who threatened to "behead" Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. On 8 November, he tweeted, "The filthy head that recklessly sticks itself in must be cut off without a moment's hesitation."

George...