Japan-China Foreign Ministers Meeting: Summary
May 10, 2000
China and Mongolia Division
Asian Affairs Bureau
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On May 10, from 5:20 P.M. to 8:10 P.M., talks were held at the Iikura House between Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono and Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan. The meeting was followed by a dinner lasting from 8:20 P.M. to 9:44 P.M. The main points of discussion are summarized below. Soon after his arrival in Japan Foreign Minister Tang visited Chizuko Obuchi, the wife of former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, who suffered a stroke last month; at the beginning of the meeting Foreign Minister Kono thanked Tang for his compassion.
1. Overview of Japan-China Relations
Both ministers agreed that relations between Japan and China are good and moving in a positive direction. They also agreed on the need to overcome organizational and systemic differences, to respect the spirit of mutual understanding, and, based on the 1972 Japan-China Joint Communique, the 1978 Japan-China Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and the 1998 Japan-China Joint Declaration, to further develop relations between the two countries. In connection with Japan's recognition of history, Foreign Minister Kono stated that Japan would continue to uphold the 1995 statement by then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama.
2. High-Level Visits
(A) The foreign ministers agreed to set mid-October as the time for Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji's visit to Japan.
(B) In response to Foreign Minister Tang's invitation to visit China, Foreign Minister Kono expressed his appreciation, as well as his desire to travel to China as soon as possible. However, he also stated, it will be necessary to carry out working-level adjustment of the schedule, keeping an eye on developments, such as the schedule for the upcoming general election in Japan.
3. Japan-China Trade and Economic Relations
(A) Overview: Both ministers agreed that trade and economic relations between the two nations are developing in a positive direction. Foreign Minister Tang noted that the Asian economy was on its way to full recovery from the economic crisis, and that Japan's economy, with its underlying strength, had the great potential for further development. He also appreciated that Japan supports China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), taking a positive view of China's chances for joining the WTO soon in view of the fact that bilateral negotiations had been successfully concluded with 30 of the 37 nations with which China had entered negotiations.
(B) Investment environment: Foreign Minister Kono expressed the view that further improvement in the environment for investment in China is key for steady growth in that country. Problems such as the handling of the failure of Guangdong International Trust and Investment Corporation (GITIC) and restrictions on steel imports, however, reduce Japanese investors' desire to move into China. According to Foreign Minister Kono, these issues have been taken up in Japan's Diet, and Japan would like to see further improvement in the Chinese investment environment. Foreign Minister Tang noted that both the central government as well as the Guangdong provincial government were keeping a close eye on the situation, and that the authorities dealing with the issue had decided to quicken the pace of dealing with the institution's bankruptcy.
(C) Large-scale development of western China: Foreign Minister Tang explained China's plans to develop the western interior of the country on a large scale, pointing out that policies would go beyond simple measures to eradicate poverty and develop lagging regions; they would be politically guided and would form part of the strategy for the long-term, sustainable development of China as a whole. In response to this, Foreign Minister Kono expressed his understanding of the general thinking behind these policies, but noted the importance of sufficient explanation of them to Japanese investors and improvement of the Chinese investment environment.
(D) Official development assistance (ODA): Foreign Minister Tang praised and gave thanks for Japan's ODA programs, in particular its yen loans, which play an important role in China's development. Foreign Minister Kono noted that given the difficult economic conditions in which Japan now finds itself, some people in the country are taking a tougher view of ODA to China--a country that is maintaining a high growth rate and showing increased military expenditures--and calling for that aid to be reconsidered. He explained the importance of gaining the understanding of the Japanese people, whose taxes are the source of these funds. This year marks the over-twentieth year of Japanese ODA to China, as well as the last year of the final two-year period of the fourth tranche of yen loan to that country. Foreign Minister Kono expressed his desire to study how to implement future ODA to China. In response to this, Foreign Minister Tang noted that while Japan-China economic cooperation needs to be adjusted in line with the conditions of the times, China hopes to see the cooperation move forward in any form and wants to discuss this issue with Japan. In response to Foreign Minister Kono's statement that efforts must be made to gain the understanding of the Chinese people on the content and effectiveness of Japan's ODA to China, Foreign Minister Tang expressed his own intent to do his utmost in concert with the relevant Chinese authorities.
4. Kyushu-Okinawa Summit
(A) Foreign Minister Kono explained Japan's thinking on the upcoming Kyushu-Okinawa Summit, focusing on the three main concepts of enjoying greater prosperity, attaining deeper peace of mind, and living in a world of greater stability in the twenty-first century.
(B) Foreign Minister Tang expressed his hope that Japan would play a positive role in maintaining the stability of the global economy. He also requested that consideration be given to the developing countries in whatever discussions take place between the Group of Eight nations. He further reconfirmed China's unchanged position that it recognized the G8 as a gathering of developed nations, and as a nation still in the course of development did not intend to participate in the group.
5. Relations across Taiwan Straits
(A) Foreign Minister Tang expressed his appreciation for the content of Japan's stated position following the recent presidential election in Taiwan. He stated that while China's prime hope is for a peaceful reunification with the island, whether the Taiwanese side recognizes the principle of "one China" is a key issue. The new leader in Taiwan is stressing "good faith and sincerity." "One China" is a foundation and prerequisite for negotiations, recognizing that there is in principle no room for compromise on this point. If the Taiwanese side accepts the "one China principle", there is a possibility that the two sides can enter talks as equals. But if Taiwan insists on acting as an independent entity, explained Foreign Minister Tang, China will be forced to take firm measures. He also made it clear that claims that in May China was preparing for a military assault or carrying out large-scale military exercises were groundless and irresponsible rumors.
(B) Foreign Minister Kono stated that Japan's position on the Taiwan issue is as stated in the 1972 Japan-China Joint Communique, and remains unchanged. Japan strongly hopes that the Taiwan issue will be settled peacefully through direct talks between the concerned parties on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, and from that perspective hopes to see talks reopened between the two sides at an earliest date.
6. Issue related to the Senkaku Islands
Foreign Minister Tang stated that the recent movement sparked by the activities of the Nihon Seinensha (Japanese Youth Federation) had been injurious to the feelings of the Chinese people, and he requested that such actions not be repeated in the future. In response, Foreign Minister Kono once again presented Japan's position that the Senkaku islands are Japan's own territory.
7. Chinese Defense Expenditures and Security Dialogue
(A) Defense expenditures: Foreign Minister Kono noted that the increase in Chinese defense spending and the opacity of the breakdown of that spending are raising feelings of unease and concern among the Japanese, and he requested that China take steps to heighten the transparency of those expenditures. Responding to this, Foreign Minister Tang explained that the fundamental course of China's foreign and defense policies is peaceful diplomacy to maintain its own independence, and that China's military policy is defensive in nature and represents no threat to any nation. On the subject of defense spending, Foreign Minister Tang, providing concrete figures, stated that discussions carried out on the basis of an analysis of those numbers. He also touched on China's efforts toward transparency in the military sphere in recent years, such as the public release of white papers and other materials, noting China's intent to continue with these efforts. Foreign Minister Kono pointed out the need for an examination not only of the total amount spent on defense, but of the breakdown of that spending. The ministers agreed that this issue would be further discussed in the ASEAN Regional Forum and other gatherings.
(B) Security dialogue: Both ministers noted the significance of the frank exchange of opinions between diplomatic and defense officials from each country, through such means as security dialogue and military exchange, as a way to reduce mistrust between the two sides and make Japan-China relations more friendly. They agreed to take steps toward holding the Seventh Japan-China Security Dialogue next month.
8. Making Use of Marine Resources
Foreign Minister Kono brought up the topic of China's marine research vessels, which have this year become active once again. He expressed his hope that Foreign Minister Tang would take the initiative to maintain order in this area. In response, Foreign Minister Tang remarked that the vessels in question were involved in legitimate research activities, and that China would be embarrassed that it was undermining order based on a one-sided Japanese statement to that effect. This was a topic that has been discussed many times in the past, but he would bring it up with the proper authorities upon his return to China.
9. Youth Exchange
Foreign Minister Kono announced that earlier that day he had been visited by representatives of 100 Chinese high school students currently being invited to Japan. He related his speech to these students, in which he told them that Japan and China should work not only to improve bilateral relations, but should look toward cooperating for the sake of the entire world.
10. The Situation on the Korean Peninsula
Foreign Minister Kono reported that negotiations toward normalizing diplomatic relations had begun again between Japan and North Korea, expressing his hope that China and other neighboring nations would cooperate in this endeavor. In response, Foreign Minister Tang noted that the positive diplomatic efforts shown recently by North Korea were contributing to stability in East Asia. He stated that China welcomed and supported the normalization talks between Japan and North Korea.
11. Arms Reduction
Foreign Minister Kono, noting that the ongoing arms reduction talks were the first to be held since the extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), expressed his hope that the discussions would see unanimous agreement and positive results, and he looked to China to put forward initiatives in the talks. He also brought up the fact that Japan was proposing the early implementation of "cut-off" negotiations and stressed the prime importance of Chinese ratification for the success of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Responding to this, Foreign Minister Tang explained that although preparations had been carried out within China for ratifying the CTBT, the bombing of Kosovo and other negative developments in the international situation had caused the ratification process to slow down; nonetheless, China's basic stance had not changed.
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