Press Conference by the Press Secretary June 29, 1997

Opening Remarks
Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Nice to meet you ladies and gentlemen. I would like to tell you the position of the Government of Japan on participating in this historic event. I am also ready to brief you on the meeting which was just held between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda and Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer of the Commonwealth of Australia. The meeting lasted for about 50 minutes. But, as far as the second part is concerned regarding the meeting between the two ministers, I will only touch on the subject itself. If you are interested in hearing more from me on some of the subjects you are interested in, I am very happy to brief you on what those two gentlemen talked about.
1. Hong Kong handover, Japan-Hong Kong relations and Japan-People's Republic of China relations
  Spokesman Hashimoto: Regarding the first part on the Japanese position on participation in the ceremony of the return of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China, Foreign Minister Ikeda is now visiting Hong Kong. In fact, he arrived here just a couple of hours ago and will return to Tokyo on 2 July. Japan is wholeheartedly joining in celebrating the historic handover of Hong Kong to China. The attendance at the handover-related ceremonies by Foreign Minister Ikeda, representing Japan, which is one of Hong Kong's most important economic partners, is extremely significant in terms of maintaining the international credibility in post-handover Hong Kong. Foreign Minister Ikeda will also take the opportunity to have bilateral meetings with Vice-Premier of the State Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen and others. I have already told you that Foreign Minister Downer and Foreign Minister Ikeda met before I came here. The meeting on this occasion with Foreign Minister Qian Qichen and other ceremony participants will also be of major significance with a view to developing Japan-China relations, as well as Japan-Hong Kong relations. Japan and Hong Kong have had a close and favorable relationship centered on economic aspects. It is a matter of great importance, not only to Japan, but also to the entire region, that after the handover to China, Hong Kong will maintain its current prosperity and stability through its traditional open and free system and continue to serve as the center of Asia-Pacific finance and trade on the basis of the "one country-two systems" concept. As Japan has a close relationship with Hong Kong, Japan is naturally interested in the future of Hong Kong. The Government of Japan firmly believes that the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong will play a major role in the future prosperity and stability of not only China, but also Japan and the entire Asia-Pacific region. It is, in this sense, important that Hong Kong's present free and open system will be maintained after the handover and that the international credibility of Hong Kong will be ensured. When I talk about Hong Kong's present free and open system, I specifically have in mind a business-friendly environment, including low tax rates, free trade and limited regulations, strict observance of the rule of law, high-level transport infrastructure, effective administration, outstanding human resources, etc., which are based on a high degree of autonomy. The Government of Japan believes that these systems will continuously develop Japan-Hong Kong ties. It is vitally important for the development of Hong Kong to let the business people in the international community, including Japanese people, continue to be confident of the future of Hong Kong and let them continuously engage freely in economic activities in Hong Kong as they have in the past. The Government of Japan also believes that the Japan-Hong Kong Air Services Agreement, the Japan-Hong Kong Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and other measures have been providing an appropriate environment for the continuous development of Japan-Hong Kong relations. Lastly, I will very briefly touch on Japan-China relations. The Japan-China bilateral relationship is not only important for the two countries, but for the entire Asia-Pacific region. China's reform and open policy should be continuously supported and China's efforts to play a part as a constructive partner in the international community should be encouraged. From this perspective, Japan supports China's early accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), which is consistent with China's direction in terms of reform and open door policies and also contributes to the strengthening of the international economic system. This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China relations. In the years to come, Japan intends to make particular efforts to further develop the relationship between the two countries.
2. Exchange of views between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda and Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer of the Commonwealth of Australia
  Spokesman Hashimoto: Between 15:45 and 16:35, Foreign Minister Ikeda and Foreign Minister Downer met. First of all, they exchanged views about the mutual positions on the participation in the ceremonies of the reversion of Hong Kong to China. They share the same fundamental view on this. Foreign Minister Ikeda explained the Japanese position in line with what I just described to you. If you are interested, I will brief you later on in more detail about the exchange of views on the Hong Kong ceremonies. They exchanged views on the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), notably Japan's support of Australia's participation in ASEM. They exchanged views about Cambodia. Both gentlemen expressed their concerns about the internal situation in Cambodia. They stressed the need to let the Cambodian situation stabilize and to see Prince Norodom Ranariddh's group and Mr. Hun Sen's group cooperate with each other. They exchanged views on the upcoming conference on climatic change in Kyoto. They briefly exchanged views about the security relationship between Japan and the United States. Those are the announcements that I wanted to make, and I will be delighted to answer any questions that you might have.
Situation in Cambodia
Q: Regarding the situation in Cambodia, you said that the situation should be stabilized. Was there any concrete suggestions about how the situation could be stabilized?

Spokesman Hashimoto: At first, they talked about the special statement issued at the time of the Denver Summit. Prime Minister Hashimoto sent an emissary to Cambodia. Foreign Minister Ikeda said to Foreign Minister Downer that the emissary, former Ambassador to Cambodia Imagawa, telephoned Foreign Minister Ikeda, saying that both Prince Ranariddh and Mr. Hun Sen committed themselves to hold general elections on 23 May. At the same time, the Speaker of the Parliament said to him that the Parliament would hold a steering committee regarding the preparations of internal regulations or enactment of law concerning the general election. Against this backdrop, Foreign Minister Ikeda said that we cannot be complacent about the situation in Cambodia. We are not sure about the future move of the Pol Pot group.

Therefore, he said that the international community should keep giving the same signal to the Government of Cambodia -- that fair and democratic elections should be held in Cambodia. The Consultative Group Meeting in Paris will be held soon. Before that, there will be an informal meeting on political issues. So, we have several occasions to continue to give the signals to the Cambodian side. Foreign Minister Downer was very much impressed with what the Government of Japan has been doing and he agreed that we, i.e., the outside countries, including the Government of Australia, should give similar messages to Cambodia. Apart from that, they did not specifically talk about the situation in Cambodia.

Q: Regarding the discussion of Cambodia, was there any indication of a deposition at the upcoming talks in Paris? And, would there be any change to their aid allocation to Cambodia resulting from the current tensions?

Spokesman Hashimoto: They did not talk about their positions at the Consultative Group on economic matters. What they exchanged views on was the political situation over there. They said that today the group has started to exchange views on the political affairs or the domestic situation in Cambodia informally. Both gentlemen shared the same opinion that, at this meeting, the group needs to give the same signal to the Cambodian side -- that they should hold fair and democratic elections.
Japan's attendance at the swearing-in of the Provisional Legislature
Q: Have they discussed their attendance at the Provisional Legislature swearing-in and their reasons for attending?

Spokesman Hashimoto: Foreign Minister Ikeda said that he would attend the whole ceremony on 30 June and on 1 July. Foreign Minister Downer also said the same. In fact, as far as I understood, there was not a difference of position at all between the two gentlemen regarding the attendance at the ceremonies. Foreign Minister Ikeda said that Japan is greatly interested in the maintenance of the rule of international law, fundamental freedoms and the democratic system in Hong Kong. At the same time, he stressed the importance that China, itself, will keep its commitments contained in the United Kingdom-People's Republic of China Joint Declaration and People's Republic of China Basic Law. Foreign Minister Downer said that he agreed with what Foreign Minister Ikeda had said on this subject. So, all in all, they share the same view about the attendance in the ceremonies.

Q: What is the Foreign Minister's view on the legalities behind the Provisional Legislature?

Spokesman Hashimoto: Foreign Minister Ikeda did not talk about the legality of the Provisional Legislature with Foreign Minister Downer. With this in mind, I would like to tell you the position of the Government of Japan on this issue. This is an internal affair of China. Basically, Japan is not in a position to comment on this. However, as Japan signed the statement at the Denver Summit, we looked forward together with other Summit members to democratic elections for a new legislature in Hong Kong as soon as possible.
United Kingdom-People's Republic of China Joint Declaration
Q: I cannot seem to get a clear answer from any government. If things do not go as planned, if China does not live up to the commitments of the Joint Declaration and Basic Law, what can Japan and other countries do? Specifically, for Japan, what is at your disposal? What can you do?

Spokesman Hashimoto: As I repeatedly told you, Japan is interested in the future of Hong Kong as one of the most important trade partners. In this sense, we think that the present free and open system both in economic and political terms should be maintained after the handover. What we should do now is that we should keep telling this fact to the Chinese leaders, so that the Chinese leaders will commit themselves to the implementation of the Joint Declaration. With that said, we should not be dragged into thinking that China may not abide by the Joint Declaration, etc. The most important thing is that we, the outsiders, and especially the business people, would like to continue their confidence in the future of Hong Kong. I think that that kind of message is very important. If the Chinese leaders believe that the prosperity of Hong Kong is inseparable to the prosperity and development of China, the Government of Japan thinks that they will abide by the Joint Declaration.
Senkaku Islands issue
Q: Could you please comment on the Senkaku Islands issue?

Spokesman Hashimoto: The Japanese delegation is currently here to celebrate the historic moment of the reversion of Hong Kong to China. So, I am not sure whether it is appropriate to talk about this question. You are aware of the position of the Government of Japan. For the time being, lets talk about our future relationship between Japan and Hong Kong. The Hong Kong people should be definitely interested in the future of Hong Kong. The future of Hong Kong is very important for you, for us and for the entire region. Still, we have time to talk about the subject that you mentioned after the handover. So, lets talk about the future of Hong Kong.
Agenda for Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto
Q: Is Prime Minister Hashimoto planning to meet with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright?

Spokesman Hashimoto: They met in Denver, so I do not think that they will meet here in Hong Kong.
People's Liberation Army in Hong Kong
Q: Regarding the subject of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the dawn entry into Hong Kong on 1 July, was that discussed between Foreign Minister Downer and Foreign Minister Ikeda?

Spokesman Hashimoto: No, they did not talk about that.

Q: Does the Foreign Ministry or Foreign Minister Ikeda have a view about the very large presence that will be here, including 4,000 troops and the personnel that will arrive in the early hours of 1 July?

Spokesman Hashimoto: The Government of Japan so far has not expressed its position on the particular question you have raised. I understand that this is basically in line with what the Joint Declaration stipulates.
Agenda and topics for discussion for Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda's bilateral discussions
Q: Will Foreign Minister Ikeda meet Tung Chee-Hwa?

Spokesman Hashimoto: We have been asking the Hong Kong authority to arrange that and we hope that this can be realized.

Q: Is this the first opportunity that the Foreign Minister has had to meet with his Chinese counterpart since the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty was signed?

Spokesman Hashimoto: If I remember correctly, Foreign Minister Ikeda visited Beijing last April. Foreign Minister Qian Qichen and Foreign Minister Ikeda meet very often. Last year, they met at the time of the post-Ministerial Meeting. They met also during APEC. And, this time, they will once again meet here in Hong Kong.

Q: Will the Japan-U.S. security alliance be on the agenda for their talks?

Spokesman Hashimoto: I am not sure whether they will talk about this issue this time. But, Japan has been informing the Government of China regarding the nature of the Japan-U.S. Joint Declaration on Security which was issued last April, notably that Japan has no intentions on changing the framework of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. We do not intend to aim at any particular third country. After Japan and the United States released the Interim Report on the Review of the Japan-U.S. Guidelines on Defense Cooperation, we sent two senior officials to Beijing to explain the essence of the interim report. After that, the Director-General of the Defense Bureau of the Japan Defense Agency (JDA) also visited Japan. Foreign Minister Ikeda also had the chance to make an explanation to Foreign Minister Qian Qichen regarding this. So, I am not sure at this time whether Foreign Minister Qian Qichen will raise the issue.

Q: Will the two foreign ministers talk about discussions that were held at the Denver Summit?

Spokesman Hashimoto: Well, as far as the Denver Summit is concerned, Mr. Mitsuzuka already made an explanation to his counterpart. Therefore, on this, unless Foreign Minister Qian Qichen is interested in this particular subject, probably, this time, Foreign Minister Ikeda will not touch on the subject in detail. He may explain to Foreign Minister Qian Qichen about the position of the Summit of the Eight on the reversion of Hong Kong, etc. I am not sure that they will talk about the Denver Summit in detail.

Q: Is Foreign Minister Ikeda planning to meet with any of the prominent business people in Hong Kong before the handover?

Spokesman Hashimoto: Consul-General of Japan Ueda will host a reception for the Japanese business people to meet Foreign Minister Ikeda tomorrow. Apart from that, no specific program has been arranged.
Statistics on Japanese investment in Hong Kong
Q: Do you have any statistics about Japanese investment in Hong Kong?

Spokesman Hashimoto: Yes, I have some statistics here. According to Hong Kong statistics, Japan is the largest investor in Hong Kong's manufacturing sector -- US$2.4 billion cumulative total as of the end of 1995. The overall cumulative total of Japan's investment in Hong Kong as of the end of 1995 was US$11.2 billion and estimated on a scale second only to the People's Republic of China investment in Hong Kong. The number of Japanese companies here are estimated to be around 2,500 companies. There are 68 banks, including the local offices. That is what I have with me.

Q: Do you see any change in the future? Do you see any increase in investment?

Spokesman Hashimoto: In general terms, Japanese business people are confident in the future of Hong Kong. We hope that the Chinese leaders share the same view and pay due attention to this fact. The Japanese people want the traditional free and open system of Hong Kong to be maintained after the handover of Hong Kong to China.
Taiwanese military exercises
Q: Is Japan concerned about Taiwan's proposed military exercises that are to be held during this period?

Spokesman Hashimoto: We are closely watching the situation. Unless something happens which will have an impact on the security of Japan, we will not basically announce our direct concerns. This time, no. We understand that it was held in the inland of Taiwan. In any case, we hope that the situation over the Taiwan Strait remains calm, and we hope that any dispute between the two parties over the Taiwan Strait should be consulted in a peaceful manner. Thank you very much.

Back to Index