Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura to the People's Republic of China
(Summary and Evaluation)

April 18, 2005

1. Itinerary

April 17, Sunday (afternoon)

Meeting and dinner reception with Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing

April 18, Monday (afternoon)

Meeting with State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan

2. Overall evaluation

• Both countries attached great importance to this visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura to China. They frankly exchanged honest opinions and confirmed their determination to improve the relations between the two countries.
• The Chinese side has yet to demonstrate an adequate response concerning the acts of violence that accompanied the demonstrations in China. The background to the demonstrations lies in criticisms leveled at Japan's posture with regard to perceptions of history. Given these realities it will be necessary for the two sides to continue consultations.
• Japan and China confirmed the three ideas of "moving on the path of international peace and prosperity," "considering each other's economic development as an 'opportunity' and not deeming them as a 'threat,'" and "expanding the common interests between Japan and China" as partners. The two countries shared the view to promote the efforts for the establishment of the "Japan-China Joint Action Program". Both sides agreed to promote exchanges at all levels and expand their common interests as well as hold discussions to resolve various issues of concern.

3. Individual issues

• High-level exchanges:
  Both sides attached great importance to realizing a Japan-China Summit Meeting on the occasion of the Asian-African Summit Meeting 2005 and agreed to make all possible necessary adjustments toward its realization. Furthermore, the two ministers shared the view to make necessary adjustments to realize a Japan-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the occasion of the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and a Japan-China Vice-Minister Level Meeting.
• Acts of violence accompanying the demonstrations:
  The Japanese side expressed that such acts of violence were extremely regrettable and requested the Chinese government to apologize, provide compensation for the damages and prevent recurrence of such incidents. Furthermore, the Japanese side requested an honest and prompt response by the Chinese side based on international rules. The Chinese side responded that they were taking measures based in law in response to those activities accompanying the demonstrations and that it did not approve of extreme acts and would continue to strive to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals, Japanese corporations and Japanese diplomatic establishments in China, as well as endeavor to ensure that the demonstrations do not spread. (However, the Chinese side gave no clear response regarding an apology or compensation as it maintains the stance that the current issue is that the Japanese government and its approach to historical issues, etc. have hurt Chinese sentiments.)
• Perception of history:
  The Chinese side remarked that Japan had hurt the sentiments of the Chinese people as a result of its approach to historical issues and approval of certain textbooks. The Japanese side explained that Japan's perception of history regarding World War II is as outlined in the Statement by Prime Minister in 1995 and had also been shared with China through the Japan-China Joint Communiqué of 1972, the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China of 1978, and the Japan-China Joint Declaration on Building a Partnership of Friendship and Cooperation for Peace and Development of 1998. The Japanese side emphasized its history of peaceful development over the past 60 years since the end of the war. The two sides shared the view to positively consider the joint history research between Japan and China.
• Resources development in the East China Sea:
  The two sides shared the opinion to consider the resumption of meetings on this issue during May.
• ODA to China:
  The Chinese side expressed its gratitude for Japan's assistance. The two sides agreed to continue discussions at the working level towards the conclusion of yen loans in a mutually satisfactory manner.
• Projects for disposal of abandoned chemical weapons:
  The Japanese side requested China's cooperation to start the construction of a disposal facility by the end of this year. The Chinese side stated that with Japan's cooperation it intended to aim for an early resolution to the issue of disposal of abandoned chemical weapons.
• North Korea:
  The two sides agreed to aim for the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and peaceful resolutions to outstanding issues. The Chinese side expressed its understanding towards Japan's interest in the abduction issue.
• UN reform:
  The two sides agreed to discuss the issue of United Nations (UN) reform including that of the Security Council through all channels.
• Cooperation in the East Asian region
  The two sides shared the view to ensure openness at the first East Asia Summit Meeting scheduled to be held in December and decided to advance dialogues between Japan and China.