Japan-China Relations
Japan-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting
October 26, 2018
On October 26, commencing at around 3 p.m. (local time) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is accompanying Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, on his visit to the People's Republic of China, held the fifth Japan-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting of 2018 with H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister for the People's Republic of China, following on from their previous meeting in September at the United Nations General Assembly. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1 Opening Remarks
- Minister Wang welcomed the visit to China by the delegation led by Prime Minister Abe and stated that Prime Minister Abe's visit to China in the year marking the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China is a very important opportunity for Japan-China relations. Minister Wang also stated that it is important for Japan and China to maintain long-term and stable relations, realize mutually beneficial relations, and contribute to regional and global peace and stability, and expressed his intention to continue to promote communication between the diplomatic authorities of both countries.
- Minister Kono expressed his deep gratitude for the hospitality shown by the Chinese side for Prime Minister Abe's visit, as well as his delight that such a visit has been realized in the year marking the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China. Furthermore, Minister Kono expressed his intention to follow up thoroughly on the outcomes of Prime Minister Abe's visit together with Minister Wang, in order to maintain the momentum towards the improvement of Japan-China relations.
2 Japan-China Relations
- The two ministers recognized that the recent signing of a memorandum to strengthen dialogue and exchange between the diplomatic authorities of both countries will form the foundation for Japan and China to work side by side, and welcomed the further strengthening of communication between the two countries.
- The two ministers showed the view to continue to communications on import restrictions on Japanese food products, based on the statement by the Chinese side that it will proactively consider the relaxation of such restrictions based on scientific evaluation.
- The two ministers concurred on the importance of the stability of the East China Sea and reaffirmed their determination to make the East China Sea a "Sea of Peace, Cooperation and Friendship." Minister Kono raised the issue of the situation around the Senkaku Islands and strongly called for the removal of ocean buoy placed on the Japanese side of the geographical equidistance line between Japan and China, among other measures.