Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Japan and the People's Republic of China at the United Nations General Assembly
(Summary)

14 September 2000
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. Date and Venue

• Time: 12:15-13:05, 13 September 2000 (Eastern Standard Time. The meeting lasted 20 minutes longer than scheduled.)
• Venue: United Nations Headquarters
• Attendees from Japan side: Mr. Yukio Sato, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, Mr. Ryozo Kato, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yukio Takeuchi, Deputy Vice-Minister for Foreign Policy, and others.
• Attendees from the Chinese side: Mr. Wang Yingfan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations, Mr. Li Baodong, Director General of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences, and others.

2. Summary of the Meeting

At the outset of the meeting Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono expressed his thanks for his recent visit to China, and stated that both sides should make every effort to ensure that the visit of Premier Zhu Rongji to Japan in one month's time would be one that bore many results. Opinions were exchanged on the three following topics: Chinese marine research vessels, special yen loans to China, and reform of the United Nations Security Council.

Marine Research Vessels

Statements by Foreign Minister Kono:
Foreign Minister Kono noted that recently he and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tang Jiaxuan had agreed to establish a framework whereby each side would provide mutual prior notification, and to this end the Liberal Democratic Party had convened a meeting on foreign affairs. However, although at the same meeting it was agreed that his most recent visit to China had borne results to some extent, fierce debated had ensued in the meeting concerning the damage to these results, due to the fact that a Chinese marine research vessel had entered Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on the previous day. Foreign Minister Kono stated that in order to promote Japan-China friendly relations a framework would have to be established with the utmost haste. Concerning the recent activities of the research vessels, an explanation was given by the Chinese side that the incident had been an accidental and isolated one, but this fact notwithstanding, they acknowledged that even such an accidental occurrence could nonetheless cause large problems. Foreign Minister Kono stated his intention to proceed with haste with the creation of a framework. Furthermore, Foreign Minister Kono requested Foreign Minister Tang to instruct the relevant authorities not to enter Japanese territorial waters. Foreign Minister Kono stated that he had received a report to the effect that consultations on establishing a framework for mutual prior notification would be convened in Beijing on 15 September. Foreign Minister Kono expressed the hope that through these discussions, a speedy conclusion would be reached.

Statements by Foreign Minister Tang:
Foreign Minister Tang began by stating that after serious internal investigation within the Chinese government it had become clear that the recent activities of a marine research vessel was indeed an accidental and isolated event. He noted that urgent measures had been effected and that subsequently there had been no research vessels in the area that was causing the Japanese side concern. Secondly, Foreign Minister Tang agreed with Foreign Minister Kono's statement that consultations on establishing a framework should be held in Beijing on 15 September. Thirdly, Foreign Minister Tang noted that for the establishment of a framework the earnest efforts of both sides would be required and consultations should be held at the earliest opportunity and reach a satisfactory result. Fourthly, Foreign Minister Tang stated that the Chinese Government took a serious view of the current incident and was studying ways to prevent its reoccurrence. Finally, the Foreign Minister emphasized that the fundamental problem was the fact that border demarcations remained unclear and that work to clearly demarcate borders was of importance.

Statements by Foreign Minister Kono:
Foreign Minister Kono acknowledged that the issue of border demarcation was an important one, but one that would take up much time, and urged the acceleration of work on the creation of a framework through consultations on 15 September.

Special Yen Loans

Statements by Foreign Minister Kono:
Foreign Minister Kono explained that at the meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party on foreign affairs, fierce debate had taken place over the course of two hours, but that ultimately the implementation of special yen loans had been agreed. He stated his hope that further administrative discussions would be progressed through the appropriate diplomatic channels of both countries.

Statements by Foreign Minister Tang:
Foreign Minister Tang noted that he had heard about the fierce internal debate within the Liberal Democratic Party from reports from the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo. He stated that whatever the case, he would like to take this opportunity to note how China was very grateful for the economic cooperation received from Japan.

Statements by Foreign Minister Kono:
Foreign Minister Kono stated that it was important to gain the understanding of the people of Japan with regard to aid to China. He urged both countries' cooperation to promote mutual understanding in such matters on every possible occasion, such as the reception to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Japan-China economic cooperation, scheduled to be held in Beijing in October.

Reform of the Security Council

Statements by Foreign Minister Kono:
Foreign Minister Kono stated that on the occasion of the United Nations Millennium Summit, a large trend had become evident, referring to the fact that of the 185 countries which made speeches, approximately 100 nations had called for the necessity of reform of the Security Council. He also noted that on the occasion of the recent visit to Japan of President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, Russia had made clear in a joint statement that it would support Japan in becoming a permanent member of the Security Council. He pointed out that of the five permanent members of the Security Council, it was only China that had not yet demonstrated its clear support for Japan's permanent membership.

Statements by Foreign Minister Tang:
Foreign Minister Tang noted that this subject had been previously extensively discussed on the occasion of the Japan-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Beijing and there was no point in repeating it in this forum, adding that China was a permanent member of the Security Council acting as a representative for developing countries. Foreign Minister Tang stated that there were a variety of ideas concerning reform of the Security Council and that China, as a developing country, held different ideas to those of Russia. He expressed the hope that further consultations on this subject could be held at the working level.

(END)