Summary of Japan-China Ministerial Meeting (Outline)
January 17, 2010
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada conducted a Japan-China Ministerial Meeting with Minister Yang Jiechi of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was visiting Japan to attend the Fourth Foreign Ministers Meeting of the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), for approximately one hour beginning at 8:45 AM on January 17. After the meeting, Foreign Minister Okada also exchanged instruments of ratification of the Agreement on Consular Relations between Japan and the People's Republic of China with Minister Yang.
1. Japan-China Relations
(1) General overview of Japan-China relations
Minister Okada welcomed Minister Yang on his first visit to Japan since last November, touched on matters on which high-level communications between Japan and China have been frequently carried out since the latter half of last year-such as summit meetings, ministerial meetings, and the visit to Japan by Vice President Xi Jinping of China-and expressed his desire to maintain such momentum this year. Minister Okada also said he welcomed the visit to Japan by Premier Wen Jiabao of China and attendance at the Yokohama APEC by President Hu Jintao of China. Minister Yang expressed his desire to maintain high-level visits, including heads of state, invited Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama of Japan to visit Expo 2010 Shanghai China and Minister Okada to visit China, and conveyed gratitude for the invitation from Japan to Premier Wen. Thanks were also given concerning the recent visit to Japan by Vice President Xi Jinping. Both Minister Okada and Minister Yang agreed to make steady communications and preparations regarding the future diplomacy schedule, including the third High-level Economic Dialog between Japan and China.
(2) Individual matters
(i) New Japan-China Friendship Committee for the 21st Century
Both Minister Okada and Minister Yang agreed to hold the first meeting of the Committee from February 7 (Sun.) to 11 (Thurs.) in Beijing and Yangzhou.
(ii) Issue of resource development in the East China Sea
Minister Okada stated that he would like to enter into negotiations to conclude international agreements promptly, and expressed desire for Minister Yang's cooperation and for him to issue instructions to enable substantive progress to be made going forward, in contrast with the lack of progress so far. He also stated Japan would take appropriate actions in the future in the event of a breach of the agreement by China. Minister Yang stated that China would adhere to its end of the 2008 agreement, that it is necessary to adjust the environment to realize the agreement, and that he would like to maintain contact at the working level to promote mutual understanding.
2. Issues in the region and in the international society
(1) North Korean issues
Minister Okada expressed his desire for China to strongly urge North Korea to take positive actions, including its unconditional return to the Six-Party Talks. Minister Yang stated that China would like to make efforts toward the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks, and that he also expects Japan to take an active role.
(2) Issue of climate change
Minister Okada stated that he would like to consult well with China toward COP16. He also stated that although China is making efforts, he expects those efforts to be stepped up. Minister Yang stated that China, as a developing country, is making considerable efforts and will solidly implement its own commitment. Minister Yang also noted that there are many areas for potential cooperation on this issue between China and Japan, and that he would like to exchange views with Japan closely on this matter.
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