Japan-China Relations
Japan-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting
July 26, 2024
On July 26 commencing at 11:25am (1:25 p.m. JST on July 26) for approximately 50 minutes through simultaneous interpretation, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Vientiane in the Lao People's Democratic Republic to attend the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, held a Foreign Ministers’ 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 welcomed the communication and exchange of views between the two countries, including the recent convening of the Japan-China Strategic Dialogue, under a broad direction of comprehensively promoting a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests” and building “constructive and stable Japan-China relations,” and Foreign Minister Wang expressed similar views. The two Foreign Ministers concurred on making persistent efforts to rhythmically build multilayered communication, including mutual visits by the Foreign Ministers, which both sides have extended invitations.
- Regarding the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, while appreciating the series of communication that has taken place in working level communications, including between the relevant experts of both countries, the two Foreign Ministers concurred to accelerate the consultations towards resolving the issue. Minister Kamikawa reiterated her strong call for the immediate lifting of import restrictions on Japanese food products by Chinese side. Minister Kamikawa also strongly called on China' to respond to the situation in the East China Sea, including the situation surrounding the Senkaku Islands and the installation of buoys. Furthermore, Minister Kamikawa expressed her serious concerns about the intensification of China’s military activities in areas surrounding Japan including China’s collaboration with Russia, and the situations in the South China Sea, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Minister Kamikawa also strongly called for the early release of Japanese nationals detained in China and pointed out that it is extremely important to create an environment in which Japanese nationals and Japanese companies can safely engage in activities in China.
- The two Foreign Ministers confirmed the importance of achieving concrete results in expanding bilateral cooperation in the economic field as confirmed at the Japan-China Summit Meeting in May as well as people-to-people exchanges, and agreed to continue to communicate including by utilizing the Japan-China High-Level People-to-People and Cultural Exchange Dialogue, and the Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue. The two Foreign Ministers also exchanged views on global issues such as WPS, development finance, climate change, and global health, and confirmed that both countries will cooperate with each other as responsible powers.
- The two Foreign Ministers also had a frank exchange of views on international affairs, such as North Korea including the abductions issue, Ukraine and the situation in Israel-Palestine.