China is turning to a well-used playbook to express its displeasure with Japan over a statement by its prime minister on Taiwan

China's defence ministry said on Thursday that Japan will have to pay a "painful price" if it steps out of line over Taiwan, responding to Japanese plans to deploy missiles on an island some 100 km (62 miles) from Taiwan's coast.

China is trying to impose economic costs on Japan for wading into the issue of Taiwan. But experts say the escalating dispute could ultimately hurt China too.

Japan's new leader prime triggered the dispute by saying Japan could intervene in a confrontation between China and Taiwan.

China's embassy in Japan on Wednesday again cautioned Chinese citizens against visiting Japan in the near future, citing what it said were reports from multiple nationals who experienced "unprovoked insults and beatings" and suffered injuries in recent days.

Tension between Japan and China has escalated over the new Japanese leader's suggestion Tokyo could intervene militarily if Beijing attacks Taiwan.