Provisional Translation

Foreign Minister Kono's Visit to China: Meeting with Vice Premier Qian Qichen
(Summary)

August 29, 2000
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On August 29 Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono, who was visiting China, held talks with Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen for about 40 minutes (from 19:00 Japan time) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse; the meeting was followed by a dinner. The following is a summary of the meeting. At the beginning of the meeting Vice Premier Qian expressed gratitude for the warm welcome that he had received on the occasion of his visit to Japan in June and commented that he had heard that Foreign Minister Kono's current visit to China was a success. In response, Foreign Minister Kono expressed his gratitude to Vice Premier Qian for attending the funeral of former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi.

1. Japan-China Relations

(1) Foreign Minister Kono stated that bilateral relations between Japan and China were in good shape in general but that on the threshold of the twenty-first century, in order to build a more reliable relationship, he wanted to make Premier Zhu Rongji's upcoming visit to Japan a meaningful one. Regarding problems between the two countries, Foreign Minister Kono commented that in talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, the two sides had been able to agree to adopt measures for the building of relations of trust.

(2) In response, regarding bilateral relations, Vice Premier Qian stated that while there might be misunderstandings and impediments, both sides should make serious efforts to eliminate them. For this purpose, he said, China and Japan have done a lot of work, and in general relations are moving in a desirable direction. Whatever problems might exist between Japan and China, he said, there are no problems that cannot be solved. Vice Premier Qian said he was sure that problems would definitely be solved.

2. Regional Situation

Foreign Minister Kono explained that there were three reasons for his current visit to China: (1) preparations for Premier Zhu's visit to Japan; (2) discussing the problems in Japan-China relations; and (3) hearing the views of Chinese leaders on the regional situation. He inquired about China's views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in Taiwan and Russia. In response, Vice Premier Qian made the following statements:

(1) Korean Peninsula Situation

(a) Regarding North Korea, Vice Premier Qian said he thought that since his visit to Japan in June the situation was developing in a favorable direction. Normalization talks between Japan and North Korea had also resumed, he said, and he had heard that they had taken place in an extremely good atmosphere. [Note: There was no further reference to Japan-North Korea talks, and Foreign Minister Kono did not make any statement on the issue.]

(b) Some changes were taking place in the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Vice Premier Qian said, and in general the situation seemed to be moving in the direction of relaxed tension. However, he said, a cautious response should be taken. Building a good atmosphere would not be easy, and settlement of this problem would still require a certain time and process.

(c) It would be difficult to make North Korea unilaterally scrap its satellite or missile program, he said. On the other hand, the North Korean side presumably understands the argument that it would be impossible to solve the problem if North Korea were to develop or maintain its satellite or missile program. Also, it would be difficult for the United States' method of saying that rogue states threaten the stability of the world. If the related parties can come into contact and promote mutual understanding, thereby relaxing tension in the situation, then the problem will be easier to solve of its own accord.

(2) Taiwan Situation

(a) Vice Premier Qian stated that there had been no major changes in particular. Cross-strait people-to-people exchange and economic and trade relations were constantly developing. Also, several political party delegations from Taiwan were making frequent visits to the mainland. Everyone hopes for the continued maintenance of peace over the Taiwan Strait, he said.

(b) However, Vice Premier Qian said, the economic situation on the island of Taiwan does not appear to be favorable. And regarding the political situation also, there are considerable differences of opinion on whether to opt for unification or separation. So the new so-called government faces various difficult problems. In these circumstances, it will not be easy to completely settle the Taiwan problem.

(c) At the same time, he said, it will be difficult for the new so-called government to proclaim Taiwan's independence soon. The international community would not accept Taiwan's independence, and circles in Taiwan are gradually coming to recognize this fact.

(d) Under the principle of "One China," Vice Premier Qian said, China's position is that any problem can be discussed. For the time being, China hopes that cross-strait people-to-people exchange and economic and trade relations will continue to develop. (In response to a question by Foreign Minister Kono as to whether China's present position was to promote people-to-people exchange even given the current statements of Taiwan, Vice Premier Qian replied that this was so.)

(e) (In response to a statement by Foreign Minister Kono that, regarding the Taiwan problem, he wanted the problem to be solved through persistent discussions) Vice Premier Qian said that the Chinese side's persistence was adequate. He expressed concern that the situation might become dangerous if the pro-independence forces in Taiwan did not receive some kind of control. He hoped that the international community would uphold the "One China" principle and would not send the wrong signals to Taiwan and be exploited. He asked Japan also to take care on this matter. (In response, Foreign Minister Kono stated that Japan would maintain its position so far, as described in the Joint Communique of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China, and that peace and stability over the Taiwan Strait were necessary at all costs for Japan, too.)

(f) Although a presidential election campaign has got underway in the United States, Vice Premier Qian said, whatever the outcome, he believed that the United States would maintain its position on the Taiwan problem in general. Regarding the issue of a Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) bill in the United States, he said that he wanted to keep watch on the situation. (In response, Foreign Minister Kono said that, regarding China's admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Japan had reached agreement with China at an early stage, ahead of the rest of the world. Japan hopes, he said, that China will develop within the economic rules of the international community. It would also be advantageous to the United States if China were to develop its economy under the same rules in the international economy, he said, so a conclusion will probably be forthcoming eventually.)

(3) Russian Situation

(a) In view of such events in Russia recently as the submarine accident and television tower fire, Vice Premier Qian said, it seems that various difficulties remain in Russia on the administrative level. A considerably long process will be required before the achievement of stability in the real sense.

(b) China-Russia relations are in good shape in general. Unlike the serious confrontation that existed between China and the Soviet Union before, and unlike the China-Soviet alliance of the past, the two countries now have entirely normal state relations. This is the result and the lesson drawn from the past alliance and the 30 years of confrontation that followed. China and Russia believed that normal state relations were best, so they established such ties.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.