Japan-People's Republic of China Summit Meeting (Summary)

On Sunday, December 25, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, held a Japan- China summit meeting with Mr. Wen Jiabao, Premier of the People’s Republic of China, during his visit to Beijing, at the Great Hall of the People from 16:40 p.m. (local time) for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes after a welcome reception from 4:30 p.m. which both leaders took part in. The overview of the meeting is as follows:
The first 10 minutes were spent for a small-member meeting (Mr. Tsuyoshi Saito, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, from Japan and Dr. Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China) and subsequently, a general meeting was held (Attending on Japanese side were Mr. Tsuyoshi Saito, Mr. Uichiro Niwa, Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Nobutaka Tsutsui, Senior Vice-Minister of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mr. Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi, Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Akihisa Nagashima, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, among others. Attending on the Chinese side were Dr. Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Zhang Ping, Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, Dr. Chen Deming, Minister of Commerce; and Mr. Cheng Yonghua, Ambassador to Japan, among others.). After the meetings, a signing ceremony on two issues, on youth exchanges and on the Japan-China fund for energy saving and environment, was held with the participation of the leaders of both countries. Then, a welcome party hosted by Premier Wen was held from 6:15 p.m. (7:15 p.m. JST) for about one hour.

1.Japan-China Relations

Prime Minister Noda expressed “six initiatives to further deepen a ‘Mutually Beneficial Relationship based on Common Strategic Interests’ on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China.” A summary of the discussions under each item of the initiatives is as follows:

(1) Initiative 1:  Enhancing Mutual Trust in the Political Area

(A) Both sides shared on a basic recognition that it is becoming more important for both sides to tackle regional/global issues together as partners for cooperation and solidly development of a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship based on Common Strategic Interests“ based on four basic documents between Japan and China. In the discussion, Prime Minister Noda stressed again that the development of China is a great opportunity for the international community, including Japan.

(B) Both sides agreed to carry out high-level exchanges more actively in the next year, which commemorates the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, under the common recognition that  enhancing mutual trust in the political area is the basis of the development of Japan-China relations. Specifically, both sides agreed to coordinate to realize the Chinese leader’s visit to Japan, participation of Prime Minister Noda in the Japan-China-Republic of Korea Trilateral Summit Meeting to be held in China, and holding of a Japan-China High-level Economic Dialogue as early as possible in the next year (2012). Further, both sides agreed on developing exchanges in the security area as well.

(C) Both sides also discussed about the situation of North Korea. In addition to the discussion at the beginning of this initiative, related discussion was also held on Initiative (6) below. For a summary of these discussion, please refer to “2. North Korea” below.

(2) Initiative 2: Promoting the Cooperation for making the East China Sea a “Sea of Peace, Cooperation and Friendship”

(A) Both sides agreed to establish “High-Level Consultation on Maritime Affairs,” and they confirmed that they made an agreement in principle on the text of “Japan-China Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) Cooperation”

(B) Prime Minister Noda urged the early resumption of negotiations on the international agreement regarding the 2008 agreement on resources development in the East China Sea. Prime Minister Wen stated that the 2008 agreement concerning resources development of the East China Sea should be put into action, and China intends to further communication and to work together with Japan.

(3) Initiative 3: Japan-China Cooperation in the Wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake

(A) Both prime ministers shared the view to continue to promote cooperation in the wake of the earthquake. Prime Minister Noda commented that Mr. Masayuki Naoshima, Former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, will be dispatched as the Prime Minister’s special envoy to the opening ceremony of the exhibition and 40th anniversary event “Vibrant Japan,” which will be held in February next year in Beijing.

(B) In regard to China’s import restriction on Japanese food products etc, Prime Minister Noda strongly requested to further relax the restrictions and to lift them swiftly. Prime Minister Wen stated that China intends to continue to examine the related measures based on scientific reviews and from the perspective of ensuring the safety of the public.

(C) Prime Minister Noda explained that a situation in which the cold shutdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station has achieved, and requested for easing and swiftly eliminating travel restriction measures on Chinese side for travels to wards severely affected areas such as Fukushima. Prime Minister Wen stated that China intends to consider this matter seriously based on a scientific review.

(4) Initiative 4: Grading up of Mutually Beneficial Economic Relations

(A) Both prime ministers shared the view to further move forward with cooperation between Japan and China in a wide variety of fields concerning economy and to grade up their mutually beneficial economic relations.

(B) Both prime ministers agreed that in order to promote the expanding economic relations between Japan and China from a financial perspective, the two countries will: (i) promote use of Japanese and Chinese currencies for trade between the two countries, (ii) assist development of markets for direct exchange between yen and renminbi, (iii) assist development of bond markets denominated in yen and renminbi, (iv) encourage  development of financial products and services denominated in yen and renminbi in overseas markets, and (v) establish a joint working group for facilitating cooperation.

(C) In the area of energy-saving and environment, both prime ministers shared the view to further promote cooperation by making use of the Japan-China general forum for energy-saving and environment, the Japan-China Energy-Saving and Environment Fund, etc. Both prime ministers shared the view to promote cooperation on large-scale projects in Caofeidian and Lianyungang, in an appropriate form according to the situation as symbolic examples of cooperation between Japan and China.

(D) Both prime ministers shared the view to promote communication between the relevant agencies with regard to the early realization of the open sky and increase of flights between Haneda Airport in Tokyo and Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai and between Haneda and Beijing.

(E) Both prime ministers shared the view to accelerate consultations to reach a substantial agreement of Japan-China-ROK Investment Agreement, and based on this, aim to initiate Japan-China-ROK FTA negotiations early next year.

(F) Both prime ministers shared the view to accelerate negotiations of the agreement between Japan and China on social security towards its early conclusion. Prime Minister Noda requested China to consider that the collection of social insurance premiums in China does not suddenly change the business environment for Japanese companies.

(G) Prime Minister Noda requested that China cooperate in promoting export of rice and other made in Japan agricultural, forestry, and fishery products and foods, mentioning that he visited a permanent exhibition hall for food products produced in Japan, after arriving in Beijing.

(H) Both prime ministers also shared the view to promote cooperation in fields such as tourism and the protection of intellectual property rights. Prime Minister Noda requested China’s cooperation with regard to the steady supply of rare earths, the relaxation of financial regulations, etc.

(5) Initiative 5: Promoting Mutual Understanding between People in Both Countries

(A) Both sides agreed to promote comprehensive exchanges between the peoples of Japan and China with next year, which marks the 40th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China diplomatic relations, as the “friendship year for Japan-China people-to-people exchanges – encounters with new friends, bonds of hearts.”

(B) Both sides agreed to implement exchanges between around 5,000 youths from their two countries. Prime Minister Noda stated that Japan intends to further promote student exchanges under the framework of “Campus Asia Scholarship.”

(C) Prime Minister Noda stated that Japan intends to promote cooperation in such areas as exchanges of ibises and pandas that could encourage the public. Especially, he requested China’s cooperation in response to the high expectations of the disaster affected areas with regard to the providing pandas. Prime Minister Wen responded that he has received letters from children in the affected areas and that China intends to proactively examine the provision of ibises and pandas to Japan.

(6) Initiative 6: Strengthening Dialogue and Cooperation on Regional and Global Issues

(A) Both prime ministers shared the view that Japan and China as major countries in the world, should strengthen dialogues and cooperation concerning regional and global issues.

(B) In regard to economic partnerships within the regions, Prime Minister Noda stated that Japan intends to thoroughly engage in the creation of not only TPP, but also frameworks for economic ties including Japan, China, ROK, and ASEAN, with a view toward the realization of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific （FTAAP）. Prime Minister Wen responded that China intends to work with Japan to promote economic unification in East Asia.

2. North Korea

(Note: As in 1 (1) (C) above, the situation in North Korea was discussed in the context of the above-mentioned 1 (1) Promotion of Political Bilateral Trust and 1 (6) Strengthening Dialogues and Cooperation Regarding Regional and Global Challenges.)

(1) Both sides shared the recognition that peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula are the common interests of the two countries, and it is important for the both countries to maintain close coordination and to calmly and appropriately respond to the new situation following the death of Kim Jong-Il, Chairman of the National Defense Commission.

(2) A summary of the statement by Prime Minister Noda is as follows:

(A) It is important that the death of Kim Jong-Il, Chairman of the National Defense Commission would not have negative impact on peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. China’s role is very important under this situation.

(B) Japan is making efforts regarding this situation. Japan would like to closely share information and cooperate with China in calmly and appropriately responding to this situation.

(C) Japan’s basic policy continues to be that it seeks to normalize its relationship with North Korea, in accordance with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, through comprehensively resolving outstanding issues of concern with North Korea, including the abduction, nuclear and missile programs, and settlement of the unfortunate past.

(D) In relation to the efforts in the Six-Party Talks, it is important to create an environment conducive to the resolution of issues including nuclear development, through concerned countries’ coordination in dealing with the situation. Japan would like to cooperate for such a purpose.

(E) The abduction issue is one of the most important issues for Japan. Japan renews its request for China’s understanding and cooperation to solve the issue. The new situation brought both worry and hope to the families of the abductees. Since Japan does not have a diplomatic establishment in North Korea, Japan requests China’s cooperation for the security of Japanese nationals including the abductees. At the same time, there is a view that this situation could be an opportunity to break the impasse on the abduction issue. Japan would like China to convey its message to the new North Korean leadership that progress on the abduction issue is indispensable for the improvement of Japan-North Korea relations.

(3) A summary of statement by Premier Wen is as follows:

(A) China is closely observing the situation after the death of Kim Jong-Il, Chairman of the National Defense Commission. Peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula corresponds to the common interests of the countries concerned, and therefore China hopes that the countries concerned remain calm and continue their efforts so that the Six-Party Talks is resumed to resolve outstanding issues as well as to realize denuclearization through dialogues and cooperation. By doing so, China aims for the long-term stability on the Korean Peninsula.

(B) Moreover, , China supports the improvement of Japan-North Korea relations and hopes that relevant issues including the abduction  will be solved appropriately through dialogues and discussions between Japan and North Korea.