Overview of Japan-China Summit Meeting

Prime Minister Naoto Kan held talks with Hu Jintao, President of the People's Republic of China, for approximately 45 minutes beginning at 8:00 AM (local time) on June 27 on the occasion of the G20 Summit in Toronto, Canada (participants from the Chinese side: Wang Qishan, Vice-Premier; Ling Jihua, Director, General Office, Central Committee of the Communist Party of China [CPC]; Wang Huning, Director, Policy Research Office, Central Committee of the CPC; Dai Bingguo, State Councilor; Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and others; participants from the Japanese side: Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs; Yoshihiko Noda, Minister of Finance; Tetsuro Fukuyama, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, and others).

1. Japan-China Relations

(1) Overall Japan-China Relations

President Hu Jintao expressed his congratulations on Prime Minister Kan's inauguration as the Prime Minister at the beginning. President Hu stated that Prime Minister Kan had made every effort in Japan-China relations for many years and shared his confidence that the "Mutually Beneficial Relationship based on Common Strategic Interests" between the two countries will develop further under his administration. In response, Prime Minister Kan stated that he was delighted to have an opportunity to talk with President Hu at such an early stage and that his administration is aiming for materializing the "Mutually Beneficial Relationship based on Common Strategic Interests."

In addition, President Hu offered the following five proposals for strengthening Japan-China relations: 1) enhanced high-level communication and coordination (e.g. inviting Prime Minister Kan to China, President Hu's participation in the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Yokohama in November 2010, and the enhanced exchanges and dialogue between government officials, political parties, parliamentary bodies, and defense authorities), 2) strengthened economic and trade cooperation (e.g. cooperation through Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue, cooperation in the fields of energy, environment, recycling-oriented economy and high technology, etc.), 3) strengthened cooperation in dealing with international and regional issues (e.g. building the "East Asia Community," further cooperation in international finance and climate change, etc.), 4) enhanced people-to-people and cultural exchanges (with a specific emphasis on mutual understanding among youth), and 5) proper responses to outstanding issues of concern from a broad perspective.

In response, Prime Minister Kan touched on the recent successful visit by Premier Wen Jiabao to Japan and the upcoming Third Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue. In response to President Hu's invitation, Prime Minister Kan expressed that he would like to visit China at a convenient time. He then shared the view that both countries should enhance exchanges with a specific emphasis on establishing a relationship of trust between defense authorities. He also noted that he would like to advance steadily with a view to building the "East Asia Community."

(2) Efforts to Resolve Issues between Japan and China, and Cooperation in Various Fields

Prime Minister Kan shared his recognition on positive developments in the "food security" field. With regard to resource development in the East China Sea, Prime Minister Kan stated that both countries had agreed to commence negotiations on the international agreement to execute the 2008 agreement and he would like to see the negotiations advance as a symbolic effort within the context of the "Mutually Beneficial Relationship based on Common Strategic Interests." Prime Minister Kan then stated that he would like to maintain close communication and cooperation to deal with global issues (e.g. global economy, disarmament and non-proliferation, and climate change) that the international community must tackle as a whole. He also stated that he carefully observes the labor disputes taking place frequently in China these days.

With regard to resource development in the East China Sea, President Hu responded by sharing his expectation for both Japan and China to make positive efforts in accordance with the basic agreement reached between the two countries. He also expressed his willingness to deal with the labor disputes properly according to the law.

2. Issues of North Korea including the Sinking of an ROK Navy Patrol Vessel

Prime Minister Kan stated that North Korea's action against the ROK navy patrol vessel undermines peace and stability in the region, and should not be tolerated. He stated that the United Nations Security Council should send a clear message criticizing North Korea, calling on China to handle the matter in a positive manner. With regard to the Six-Party Talks, Prime Minister Kan pointed out the importance of fully resolving the incident, while expressing his gratitude to China for its understanding and cooperation on the abduction issue.

President Hu stated that he is paying close attention to the developments on the Korean Peninsula. He then noted that the sinking of the ROK navy patrol vessel was an unfortunate incident and that each country should calmly deal with the incident from a broad perspective so as to maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. He also expressed that he would like to communicate and cooperate with Japan on this matter.