Japan moved Monday to dial down tensions with China after Beijing issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to avoid Japan, escalating a diplomatic dispute sparked by remarks about Taiwan.

The friction intensified after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told lawmakers earlier this month that a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan’s survival could trigger a military response. Past Japanese administrations have refrained from publicly discussing such scenarios to avoid provoking Beijing, which considers the self-governed island part of its territory.

Japanese media reported Monday that Masaaki Kanai, director general of the Foreign Ministry’s Asia and Oceania bureau, will travel to Beijing this week to meet his Chinese counterpart, Liu Jinsong. Kanai is expected to stress that Takaichi’s comments do not signal a change in Japan’s security posture and to urge China to take steps that prevent further deterioration in relations.

Taiwan sits just over 110 kilometers from Japan’s westernmost islands and near vital sea lanes that carry most of Japan’s energy imports. Japan also hosts the largest concentration of U.S. military personnel outside the United States, heightening its strategic stakes.

“Various channels of communication are open,” Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary said when asked about Kanai’s planned visit.

He added that China’s travel warning “is incompatible with the overall direction of building a strategic, mutually beneficial relationship,” noting that Tokyo has formally asked Beijing to reconsider.

Takaichi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang may cross paths later this week at the G20 summit in South Africa.

Speaking in New Taipei on Monday, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te accused Beijing of mounting a “multifaceted attack” on Japan.

“I call on the international community to remain vigilant, and I urge China to exercise restraint and act like a major power rather than a source of instability for the region,” Lai said.