China, Japan Foreign Ministers Agree Visit For Security Dialogue

Talks between China and Japan’s foreign ministers in Beijing have paved way for Japan to host China’s foreign affairs chief next year, and mutual agreement to hold a security dialogue as soon as possible, Japan said on Wednesday.

No details were given for when the events will take place but Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya told reporters after his meeting and a working lunch with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that both agreed on continued high-level talks, including potentially an economic dialogue during the 2025 visit.

The one-day visit is Iwaya’s first to the Chinese capital since becoming Japan’s foreign minister in October, to discuss thorny issues with his country’s largest trading partner.

It follows an agreement between leaders of both countries to work towards a mutually beneficial strategic relationship.

Ties between the neighbours, trade partners with close economic and investment ties but rivals in security and territorial claims, are complicated with long-standing geopolitical disagreements and historical wartime sensitivities.

Iwaya raised several security concerns, urging China to take “necessary action” including removing a buoy Japan had identified and believe was installed by China in the exclusive economic zone near one of Japan’s southernmost islands.

“I also expressed my serious concerns about the situation in the East China Sea…and the increasing activity of the Chinese military,” he said.

On regional concerns, Wang and Iwaya discussed North Korea.

Iwaya sought for China to partake in “a responsible role in maintaining peace and security in the international community,” he said.

Japan has expressed “grave concern” over North Korea’s security alliance with Russia, in which North Korea stands to gain advanced military technology and combat experience.

Wang stressed in the meeting that the significance of the countries’ relationship went beyond bilateral ties.

“If China-Japan relations are stable, Asia will be more stable,” Wang said at the start of their meeting.

Reuters/Ejiofor Ezeifeoma