Japan-China Relations
Meeting between Foreign Minister Hayashi and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee Wang Yi
July 14, 2023
On July 14, from 12:25 p.m. local time (same day, 2:25 p.m. JST) for approximately 65 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, during his visit to Indonesia to attend the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers' Meetings, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi expressed his gratitude for the welcome he received during his visit to China in April. He stated that, as Japan and China commemorate the 45th anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the two countries this year, the two countries have various possibilities; however, at the same time, there are many challenges and issues of serious concern and the bilateral relationship is at a critical juncture. He stated that he would like to hold a meaningful exchange of views toward the goal of “building a constructive and stable Japan-China relationship,” which is the shared recognition of the leaders of Japan and China. Director Wang expressed a similar view.
- Minister Hayashi clearly reiterated Japan’s position regarding the discharge of ALPS-treated water into the sea, and once again called upon China to act based on a scientific standpoint, and reiterated Japan’s readiness to communicate with China from such standpoint. Minister Hayashi also expressed his grave concerns about issues such as the situation in the East China Sea, including in the waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands, and China’s increasingly active military activities near Japan, including its coordination with Russia. He also stated the importance of the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Furthermore, he made strong representations based on Japan’s resolute position on the case of the detention of a Japanese national in China, including the Japanese national’s early release.
- Minister Hayashi pointed out the importance of cooperation in areas where possible, and stated that Japan would like to promote people-to-people exchanges, such as youth exchanges, as well as local, parliamentary, economic and other exchanges. Director Wang expressed support for such exchanges.
- Both sides concurred on continuing close communication at all levels, including at the leader and foreign ministerial levels.