Chinese Ambassador to Japan, Kong Xuanyou, on Tuesday criticized the "Quad" grouping comprising the United States, Japan, India and Australia as representing a "Cold War mentality" and "100% outdated."
In an interview with Kyodo News, Kong urged Japan to depart from diplomacy that follows in the steps of its ally the United States and to strengthen ties with China by exerting "strategic independence."
Japan "can keep a good balance" in its respective relations with China and the United States, he said in his first interview with a Japanese media organization since U.S. President Joe Biden took office in January.