(* This is a provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only. The original text is in Japanese.)

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura

Date: Saturday, December 1, 2007
Place: Beijing, China

Main topics:

General Impression of Japan-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting
Issue of Gas Fields in the East China Sea
North Korean Issues
Historical Issues/Taiwan Issue
Evaluation of Japan-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting
Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue

1. General Impression of Japan-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Question:
What are your impressions now that you have completed the Japan-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting?

Minister:
This was the first time in two years and seven months that a Japanese Foreign Minister has visited China, and given the fact that the leaders of our two countries have decided to foster a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests we focused on laying the groundwork for that. Considering that Prime Minister Fukuda will visit China sometime in the near future, I wanted to prepare the environment for that visit and as a result I believe that I had fairly good talks with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

2. Issue of Gas Fields in the East China Sea

Question:
Did you make any progress in resolving the issue of gas fields?

Minister:
Although we did have a more thorough discussion of this topic than in previous meetings, since neither of our sides is willing to say that the other side's position is good, I cannot tell you that we made progress. We both re-affirmed our understanding of the position of the other side, and we both felt that this is in fact a difficult problem. At the same time, we both understood that no matter what, this is an issue that must be resolved and we both re-affirmed our very strong will about this. I think that sums it up.

Question:
Regarding the issue of the gas fields, at the time of his visit to Japan, agreement was reached with Premier of the State Council Wen Jiabao to the effect that "Both sides should get the direction for achieving a solution by this autumn." Did you agree that you would solve this before Prime Minister Fukuda makes his trip to China?

Minister:
We both agreed with a strong will that we must resolve this issue as soon as possible.

Question:
Was there anything in the words of the Chinese Foreign Minister indicating that even though both nations' positions differ the Chinese side has made some progress or some changes in their viewpoint?

Minister:
I do not think that there was anything on either side that could be characterized as concrete progress itself. Still, we saw each other and reaffirmed that we should make progress on this issue. I do believe that the Chinese side does have a strong will to make progress on this issue from now on.

3. North Korean Issues

Question:
Regarding North Korean issues, how were the talks on the abduction issue and on the issue of nuclear development?

Minister:
As far as the nuclear issue is concerned, I praised the good efforts made by China as the Chair of the Six-Party Talks, and we have agreed that once North Korea thoroughly implements what it promised in the second-phase we will move on to the third-phase. I stated that Japan truly wants to further advance Japan-North Korea relations by resolving the abduction issue and settling the past. The Chinese side stated that it strongly supported the position taken of resolving those matters of concern to both parties by discussing them and then advancing Japan-North Korea relations.

Question:
There have been reports indicating that the next round of the Six-Party Talks will be held this week. Was there any talk on that matter?

Minister:
I understand that the officials in charge of that are engaging in coordination regarding that. However, there are not such problems between Japan and China as to have caused the delay, and therefore we did not talk so much about that.

Question:
Was there anything on the declaration of nuclear programs by North Korea?

Minister:
We discussed the international situation while having our meal and we agreed that it was important for a complete declaration of all nuclear programs to be made as well as the disablement of the three facilities, and that proper steps should be taken in that regard.

4. Historical Issues/Taiwan Issue

Question:
Were there any statements from the Chinese side regarding historical issues or the Taiwan issue?

Minister:
The Chinese side made a very brief mention of historical issues and so I also responded in a brief way. Our discussions followed the pattern of those that we have had in the past. Regarding the Taiwan issue, although it can be said that the position of the Chinese side remains unchanged, there was a rather strong tone to the discussion on this issue. The response I gave was the same response that we have given in the past in regards to this issue. Ever since the Joint Communique of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China we have not changed our stance on that issue at all, and I stated this to the Chinese Foreign Minister.

5. Evaluation of Japan-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Question:
You stated that you believe that you were able to have a good meeting that will help to prepare for the visit to China by Prime Minister Fukuda. Specifically what points made you feel that way?

Minister:
In overall terms, China also stated that it had a positive evaluation of Japan-China relations as they are today, and Japan also positively evaluates these relations. Even regarding the most difficult issue, which is the gas fields in the East China Sea, although there was no proposal from China to which Japan can give a higher evaluation than that which has been made in the past, I did feel that there is a strong will on their part recognizing that they must put forward such a proposal. Besides for that there were other points such as China praising the fact that we have been able to smoothly conclude the provision of Yen Loans, and concerning the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, we agreed that we would advance it to a treaty on judicial matters. We also agreed to move forward to visa issues and consular issues. I would say that the prevailing atmosphere during the meeting was that only after a somewhat better atmosphere emerged we could make progress.

6. Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue

Question:
I understand that Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue is scheduled to take place after this. What are your thoughts as you head into that?

Minister:
That meeting will take place from here on and I understand that there remain some very difficult points that have not been resolved through the coordination efforts of the officials in charge on both sides. Since this many people have come to China to attend this dialogue I think that it would be good if we can show some results that will re-assure the peoples of our two countries that Japan and China do truly share a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests through the holding of Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue.

Back to Index