TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The mayor of Nagasaki said Friday that Taiwan would not be notified about or invited to events marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city.

Mayor Suzuki Shiro’s statement was condemned by Kobe City Councilor Uehata Norihiro as deplorable. Uehata said anyone taking cues from China was not qualified to speak about peace, per CNA.

The Nagasaki City Government plans to invite 2,700 people to the Aug. 9 ceremony, about 300 more than last year. Suzuki said all countries with diplomatic offices in Japan would receive invitations, and that all countries or territories with representation at the United Nations would be notified.

He added that Taiwan fell into neither category, though he left open the possibility of “considering any situation in the future,” according to Japan’s Kyodo News.

Uehata said Taiwan, an independent country of 23 million people, respects freedom and democracy and is a close friend of Japan.

In contrast to Nagasaki, the Hiroshima City Government said it was “leaning toward” notifying Taiwan of its commemorations planned for Aug. 6. Originally, it had not planned to do so, but given that this year marks the 80th anniversary of both the atomic bombings and the end of World War II, the city decided to reconsider.