New Delhi, Nov. 19 -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan, China cites "no market" and safety concerns to suspend all Japanese aquatic imports, escalating economic and diplomatic tensions.

The ban, reminiscent of earlier restrictions following Japan's Fukushima water release, now carries a more overt political message. According to Chinese officials, "demand for Japanese aquatic products no longer exists in the market." But geopolitical analysts in Beijing, Tokyo and elsewhere argue the move fits into a broader playbook of trade pressure from Beijing on governments perceived to be drifting into the US orbit.

China's foreign ministry reiterated its objections to foreign interference in what it calls its "core inter...