Japan-China Relations
Japan-China Relations
September 26, 2019
On September 26, commencing at 5:35 p.m. local time (September 27, 6:35 a.m. JST) for approximately 25 minutes (with simultaneous interpretation), Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting New York, United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly session, held a Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1 Beginning
(1) The summary of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang’s opening remarks is as follows.
- I wish to extend my congratulations to you on your appointment as Foreign Minister. I am pleased that we can meet and hold our first meeting today. Former Foreign Minister Kono has been appointed as Minister of Defense, and I hope his work is going well.
- You served as Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization, and have made proactive efforts toward Japan-China economic and trade cooperation, including attending the Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue in Beijing this April. As your counterpart, I intend to continue to develop favorable cooperative relations with you.
- President Xi and Prime Minister Abe held an important summit meeting on the margins of the G20 Osaka Summit. The two leaders reached a common recognition on building a Japan-China relationship sought in a new era. Based on this common recognition, I hope we can overcome the difficulties between the two countries and promote our relations in a continuous and stable manner.
(2) In response, Minister MOTEGI expressed appreciation for the congratulations and stated as follows.
- We last worked together when you were Ambassador to Japan, and I look forward to working with you again.
- I first wish to congratulate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Both Japan and China have a significant responsibility to the region and the international community, and there are many issues on which the two countries should cooperate beyond our bilateral relations. In the “new era of Japan-China relations,” I envision our two countries working hard to address such issues.
- Today, I hope we can exchange our views candidly on bilateral as well as regional and international issues.
2 Japan-China Relations
(1) Both sides shared the view that Japan and China will make efforts to address not only bilateral but also regional and global issues. They confirmed that a series of reciprocal visits will be made at a high level in the lead-up to President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Japan next spring.
(2) Both sides shared the view that Japan and China will make efforts to further deepen economic and practical cooperation.
(3) Both sides shared the view that they will continue to cooperate toward concluding the negotiation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) this year.
(4) Both sides shared the view that they will continue to coordinate on a high-level dialogue for people-to-people and cultural exchanges, which they will launch this year. In addition, both sides shared the view that they will promote people to people exchanges in a wide range of areas, including school trips.
(5) Both sides shared the recognition that it is important to make forward progress on the issues between the two countries, also for fostering a favorable atmosphere for President Xi’s successful visit to Japan next spring. Minister MOTEGI once again strongly requested China’s positive responses to: (a) China’s import restrictions on Japanese food products; (b) maritime and security issues, including the East China Sea; and (c) detainment of Japanese nationals in China, and so on.