Philippines Meetings

Japan-China Foreign Ministerial Meeting

Mr. Hiroshi Hashimoto
Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan

Mr. Hidehiko Hamada
Spokesperson for the Minister for Foreign
Affairs of Japan

Speakers:	Mr. Hiroshi Hashimoto Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan Mr. Hidehiko Hamada Spokesperson for the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan
Date:	23 November 1996
Time :	20:00 -- 20:40
Location :	Meeting Room 6, PICC Manila, Republic of the Philippines

Press Conference

23 November 1996

MAJOR TOPICS

Talks between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda and Minister for Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen of the People's Republic of China
Questions from the press
Meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda and Secretary of Commerce Mickey Kantor of theUnited States of America
Questions from the press

Approximately 12 journalists in attendance

Talks between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda and Minister for Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen of the People's Republic of China
Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan Hiroshi Hashimoto: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I will brief you on the contents of the talks between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda and Minister for Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen of the People's Republic of China, which were held late this afternoon. This was the sixth meeting between the two gentlemen after Foreign Minister Ikeda became the foreign minister of Japan. This means the two gentlemen know each other very well, so that they exchanged frank views under a cordial atmosphere. Probably, we can characterize this meeting as a preparation for the meeting between Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China tomorrow. The two foreign ministers touched on the following points: the first is the overall relationship between the two countries; the second is economic cooperation; third, the so-called historical perceptions; fourth, the Senkaku Islands; fifth, Japan-U.S. security relationship; fifth, the talks on fisheries and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; the sixth was the abandoned chemical weapons issue, and lastly, an invitation to Foreign Minister Ikeda to visit China, by Foreign Minister Qian Qichen.
1. Overall bilateral relationship and historicalperceptions
  Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan Hiroshi Hashimoto: First of all, on the overall bilateral relationship, Foreign Minister Ikeda explained that the second Hashimoto Government regards the relationship with China as very important, and this policy continues unchanged. The bilateral relationship is not only important for the two countries, but also for the entire Asia-Pacific region. The two ministers have a big responsibility to develop the relationship, and he expressed his hope to cooperate with each other to endeavor to develop the relationship. Foreign Minister Qian Qichen replied that the Chinese Government is watching the policy of the Government of Japan toward China, which is allegedly regarded as important. He said that China and Japan, geographically exist very close, and historically, the two countries are close, and economic relations are good. He expressed his hope to improve the relationship in the political field, and that is important not only for the two nations, but also for the region. And, they exchanged views on the historical perceptions. This is important for the two nations.
2. Economic cooperation
  Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan Hiroshi Hashimoto: On economic cooperation, Foreign Minister Ikeda said that the Government of Japan continues to assist China's reform and open-door policy, and the Government of Japan intends to dispatch a government mission on yen loans in the very near future, within this month. At the same time, Foreign Minister Ikeda said that the Government has to gain the support and understanding of the Japanese people, and therefore, the Government of Japan is extending economic cooperations on the basis of the Japan Official Development Assistance (ODA) Charter. Foreign Minister Qian Qichen welcomed the dispatch of the government mission to China.
3. Senkaku Islands
  Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan Hiroshi Hashimoto: Fourthly, on the Senkaku Islands, Foreign Minister Ikeda said that the two countries have different positions on the Senkaku Islands; however this should not hamper the development of the overall relationship between the two countries. Foreign Minister Qian Qichen said that this is a separate issue when we consider the overall bilateral relationship between the two countries. And, it is necessary to keep restraint on this, and the Chinese side does not hope that it will hinder the bilateral relationship between the two countries. Foreign Minister Ikeda said that he agrees that to keep restraint is necessary, and, even if the positions are different between the two countries, both sides should try to develop the overall relationship. In order to improve the atmosphere surrounding the bilateral relationship, he just offered the reminder that Chinese research vessels come to the Japanese side of the median line of the continental shelf and engage in research activities over there, and he just asked the Chinese side to take appropriate measures for this.
4. Japan-United States security relationship
  Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan Hiroshi Hashimoto: On the United States-Japan security relationship, Foreign Minister Ikeda said that the Joint Declaration on Security, which was issued last April, does not change the structure of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. It does not widen the scope of the applications of the Treaty. It does not aim at any particular third country. He said that when Secretary of State Warren Christopher of the United States made a speech in Shanghai, he touched on this issue, and there is not a difference of opinion between Japan and the United States on the Security Treaty. Foreign Minister Qian Qichen said that the Japan-U.S.Security Treaty is a treaty applied to two countries, and he expressed his hope that the nations in the neighboring countries need not be concerned about the Treaty.
5. Fisheries and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
  Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan Hiroshi Hashimoto: On the fisheries and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea issues, both ministers agreed that the next talks will be held on 5 and 6 December in Tokyo.
6. Abandoned chemical weapons
  Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan Hiroshi Hashimoto: On the abandoned chemical weapons issue, it was agreed that the governmental talks will be held in December, and both sides are going to decide the definitive date for the consultation.
7. Invitation from Minister for Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen of the People's Republic of China for Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda to visit China
  Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan Hiroshi Hashimoto: Lastly, Foreign Minister Qian Qichen invited Foreign Minister Ikeda to visit China in the near future, and Foreign Minister Ikeda replied with gratitude. And, especially next year will mark the 25th year of the normalization of relations between the two countries. So, he would like to study the possibility of visiting China in a positive way. That is the content of the talks between the two gentlemen, but if you are interested in the talks, I will try to answer.
Questions from the press
Journalist from Hong Kong (Ming Tao Daily News): Earlier, China, in its own briefing, said that the Japanese Foreign Minister has promised to find possible ways to remove the lighthouse built by right wing groups on the Diaoyu Islands, or what the Japanese call the Senkaku Islands. What are your comments on this?

Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan Hiroshi Hashimoto: Foreign Minister Ikeda explained in conjunction with the fundamental policy of Japan on this. That means that this issue should not hamper the overall bilateral relationship between the two countries. He went on to say that a private association constructed a building on the Island, and because of that, the situation, we know, was created, but the Government of Japan has never supported --has never encouraged -- the activities of the association on the Island. It is not desirable that the Japan-China relationship be affected by the recurrence of similar incidents, and Japan continues its efforts on this in the future. That is what Foreign Minister Ikeda said to Foreign Minister Qian Qichen.

Journalist from Hong Kong (Ming Tao Daily News): But, did Foreign Minister Ikeda specifically mention what measures would be taken against the construction of the lighthouse on the islands?

Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan Hiroshi Hashimoto: I have already outlined what Foreign Minister Ikeda said to Foreign Minister Qian Qichen. Any other questions?

Journalist from Chinese Taipei: I would like to know, did the two ministers talk anything about the Taiwan issue? And, if they did, did they reach any consensus?

Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan Hiroshi Hashimoto: They did not talk about the Chinese Taipei issue.

Mr. Simon Beck (South China Morning Post): Could you give more detail about the talks you said were going to take place between -- you said some Japanese officials are going to visit China regarding giving yen loans to China? Could you specify -- these were the loans that were withheld before from China?

Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan Hiroshi Hashimoto: We have, in the past, extended three yen-loan packages to China. We are now implementing the fourth yen-loans package; the talks are related to this. As background, I will say that after the establishment of the second Hashimoto Government, the Government consulted the ruling party on this, and they made a consensus to dispatch a governmental mission to China, to go ahead with the procedures of the fourth yen-loan package. And, on the basis of this, Foreign Minister Ikeda informed Foreign Minister Qian Qichen of this fact, and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen welcomed this. This means that sometime before the end of this November, a governmental mission will be dispatched to China. And, on the basis of this, Japan will locate a number of projects that should be covered by the fourth yen-loan package. The actual amount of credits will be determined by the Government of Japan on this.

Journalist from Hong Kong: Foreign Minister Ikeda told Foreign Minister Qian Qichen that he hoped the Chinese side would take appropriate action on the Chinese research ship. What was the reaction of Mr. Qian Qichen?

Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan Hiroshi Hashimoto: Foreign Minister Qian Qichen did not reply directly to what Foreign Minister Ikeda said.

Journalist from Hong Kong: How would you describe the recent Sino-Japanese relations -- is it already back to normal just like before the Diaoyu Islands issue began?

Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan Hiroshi Hashimoto: Tomorrow, Prime Minister Hashimoto will meet President Jiang Zemin, and they will exchange views and are expected to express their appreciation for the bilateral relationship. However, I would like to say that the two ministers today repeated the importance of the overall bilateral relationship, although there are several issues between the two countries. And, citing the Senkaku Islands, both ministers said that it should not hinder from developing the bilateral relationship. But, in any case, after the meeting between Prime Minister Hashimoto and President Jiang Zemin, our delegation will have a briefing session if you are interested. We will have the briefing at 19:00 tomorrow, so I hope we can brief you on the content of the talks between the two gentlemen. I would like to ask my colleague, Mr. Hamada, to brief you on the content of the talks between Foreign Minister Ikeda and Secretary of Commerce Mickey Kantor of the United States of America which were just over. Thank you very much.
Meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda and Secretary of Commerce Mickey Kantor of the United States of America
Spokesperson for the Foreign Minister Hidehiko Hamada: Good evening ladies and gentlemen. As Mr. Hashimoto has mentioned, I am going to provide a briefing on the meeting between Commerce Secretary Kantor and Foreign Minister Ikeda. The meeting was held between 18:45 to 19:25 in a meeting room of the Manila Hotel. The two gentlemen basically covered two major agenda: firstly, some economic issues between Japan and the United States, and secondly, APEC. Since Commerce Secretary Kantor is reportedly leaving his office, at the outset Foreign Minister Ikeda expressed his appreciation and gratitude for his work and contributions during his term of office. In response to this statement, Commerce Secretary Kantor recalled his work when he was involved in the creation of the Japan-U.S. Framework, and in this context, both gentlemen agreed that the Japan-U.S. Framework greatly contributed to the establishment of mutual trust between Japan and the United States in various fields. On the other hand, they also touched upon the insurance issue, which is still outstanding, and both sides agreed that they would make further efforts to try to solve this issue within the targeted date, and to that end they will make best efforts. Also, they talked about international economic issues, such as the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), APEC, and the World Trade Organization (WTO). They also talked about the importance of the negotiation on basic telecommunications, which both sides expect to finish by 15 February next year. Also, they agreed on the importance of the upcoming ministerial-level meeting of the WTO to be held in December. On APEC, they agreed that it is a very important forum for the enhancement of free market economy, and, in this regard, took note that the two countries have made certain contributions in a cooperative manner and are engaging positively to further pursue this goal. Both gentlemen also reaffirmed the importance of making further efforts in the future. This is the gist of what was taken up at the meeting.
Questions from the press
NHK Journalist: You mentioned that the WTO was taken up and it is interesting that this briefing involves both you and China. Of course, they were the two main countries that have an issue on the WTO at the moment. Can you say if Japan was asked to play any role in getting China into the WTO or asking the U.S. to change its mind about opposing?

Spokesperson for the Foreign Minister Hidehiko Hamada: As I said at the outset, both gentlemen within such a limited time covered many aspects. So to be very frank, even on this issue of the WTO, they did not discuss it in detail, including the point you just mentioned.

NHK Journalist: As a follow up, did you get any impression that the U.S. might ease its opposition to China during this meeting?

Spokesperson for the Foreign Minister Hidehiko Hamada: Again, they did not touch on this particular issue.

Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan Hiroshi Hashimoto: Do you still want to ask your question?

Journalist: On the question of the Senkaku Islands, I think leaders are in the habit of sweeping under the carpet issues and saying that it should not mar close relations between two countries. Why I say that is because I do not think you have mentioned whether the two leaders, during their meeting, have talked about a possible solution to the question.

Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Japan Hiroshi Hashimoto: What I can add to what I have said is that Foreign Minister Qian Qichen of the People's Republic of China said that this Senkaku issue is a separate issue, when we think of the overall bilateral relationship between the two countries. He said that the people in Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei have strong feelings about this and the position of China is clearly different from that of Japan. However, the Chinese side deals with this issue sincerely and uses restraint. And, he went on to say that this issue will not hinder the development of the overall bilateral relationship between the two countries. He said that the two countries should endeavor to solve this issue with restraint and asked the Government of Japan to take an appropriate response to this. That is what Foreign Minister Qian Qichen said. And, in response, Foreign Minister Ikeda said he agreed that keeping restraint is needed. The positions of the two Governments are different, but both sides need to endeavor to solve the questions and he went on to speak about the issue of the Chinese research vessel. That reflects the sequence of the discussion between the two leaders. Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.

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