Japan-China Relations
Japan-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting
November 25, 2023
On November 25, commencing at 5:30 p.m. for approximately 100 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who was visiting Busan in the Republic of Korea to attend the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China. The summary of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Kamikawa stated that she would like to work closely with Minister Wang toward the development of Japan-China relations in line with a broad direction of comprehensively promoting a "Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests” and building “constructive and stable Japan-China relations” in order to carve out a new era in Japan-China relations, as agreed upon at the Japan-China Summit Meeting on November 16. Minister Wang expressed similar views. The two Ministers concurred on continuing close communication at all levels and invited each other for bilateral visits, and both sides decided to consider such visits accordingly.
- Regarding the discharge of ALPS-treated water into the sea, Minister Kamikawa strongly called for the immediate lifting of import restrictions on Japanese food products. Recognizing that there are differences in their respective positions, the two ministers shared the view that they will seek to find ways to resolve issues through consultations and dialogue in a constructive manner.
- Minister Kamikawa reiterated her serious concerns regarding the situation in the East China Sea, including the situation surrounding the Senkaku Islands, the intensification of China’s military activities in areas surrounding Japan, including collaboration with Russia, and situations in the South China Sea, Hong Kong, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and other matters. She called for the immediate removal of the buoy installed in Japan’s EEZ. The two Ministers then shared the view to hold the Japan-China Security Dialogue at an early date to strengthen communication on security matters. Minister Kamikawa stated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and, strongly called for the early release of Japanese nationals detained in China.
- The two Ministers concurred on coordinating toward utilizing the Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue and the Japan-China High-Level People-to-People and Cultural Exchange Dialogue to be held at an appropriate time, in order to promote bilateral cooperation in areas such as green economy (including environment and energy conservation), as well as medical care, nursing care, and healthcare and to expand people-to-people exchanges in various areas as agreed by the two leaders during the Japan-China Summit Meeting on November 16.
- The Ministers also exchanged views on global challenges and agreed to strengthen communications between the diplomatic authorities on issues such as climate change and global health, including measures against infectious diseases. Minister Kamikawa also expressed her desire to work closely with Minister Wang in the field of Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Minister Wang expressed his support for such cooperation.
- The two Ministers also exchanged views on the situation in North Korea, including the abductions issue. They shared the view to maintain close communication in the international arena.