Taipei: Visiting China-born Japanese lawmaker Hei Seki emphasized upon his arrival on Tuesday that his visit to Taiwan underscores the notion that "Taiwan is not part of China, Taiwan is Taiwan," reinforcing the view that the two entities are not subordinate to each other.

According to Focus Taiwan, Seki was greeted at Taipei Songshan Airport by both pro-independent supporters and a small group of pro-unification protesters. He shared his excitement with reporters, stating that he was "thrilled" to be in Taiwan. Seki highlighted that the People's Republic of China (PRC) has sanctioned him, prohibiting his entry into PRC territory. His successful entry into Taiwan, he explained, was a testament to the distinction between the PRC and the Republic of China (ROC), underscoring that they are two separate countries.

Seki further asserted, "Taiwan is Taiwan, Taiwan is the ROC, and has no relations with the PRC," emphasizing his belief that Taiwan is an independent nation. The Japanese lawmaker, who is a member of the Japan Innovation Party and has served in the House of Councillors since 2025, has had a diverse background. Born in China and a graduate of Peking University, Seki relocated to Japan in 1988, shortly before the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989.

He became a naturalized Japanese citizen in 2007 and transitioned from academia to politics, having previously been a university lecturer and political commentator. In September 2025, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs imposed sanctions on Seki due to his critical stance on China, support for Taiwan, and visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which is controversial for honoring Japan's war dead, including World War II war criminals. The sanctions barred him from entering China, including Hong Kong and Macau.

Seki's visit to Taiwan is at the invitation of the Taipei-based Indo-Pacific Strategy Thinktank, where he is scheduled to attend a seminar on Friday.