Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says relations with Japan at ‘critical stage’

VIENTIANE - Relations between China and Japan are at a critical stage, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Japanese counterpart on July 26 as the pair discussed thorny issues including Japanese nationals detained in China, food import bans and semiconductor curbs.

Mr Wang met Japan’s Ms Yoko Kamikawa on the sidelines of a gathering of foreign ministers hosted by Asean in Laos, ahead of the July 27 East Asia Summit and the security-focused Asean Regional Forum.

Relations between the neighbours have been testy in recent years over issues including territorial claims, trade tensions and

Beijing’s anger over Tokyo’s decision

to release treated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea.

But over the last few months, Chinese and Japanese officials have moved to resume several consultative talks for the first time in years, signalling ties may be on a steadier footing.

“China-Japan relations are currently at a critical point: advance or be left behind,” Mr Wang told Ms Kamikawa, according to a readout of the talks issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

“China’s policy towards Japan has always maintained stability and continuity. It is hoped that the Japanese side will establish an objective and correct perception of China and pursue a positive and rational policy towards China.”

In their first one-to-one talks in eight months, Ms Kamikawa strongly urged the lifting of

import restrictions Beijing imposed on Japan food products

in the wake of the Fukushima water release.

She also called for the early release of Japanese detainees in China.

The arrest of a

well-connected executive from Japanese drugmaker Astellas Pharma

in China in 2023 has had what some Tokyo officials described as a considerable chilling effect on business, contributing to a drop in foreign investment and an exodus of Japanese expatriates.

“It is extremely important to create an environment in which Japanese nationals and Japanese companies can operate in China with peace of mind,” Ms Kamikawa told Mr Wang, according to a readout issued by Japan’s Foreign Ministry.

Japan – a close US ally – has, along with other Group of Seven countries, sought to wean off its economic links with China in strategic areas and

aligned with the United States

in ongoing curbs to limit Beijing’s access to advanced semiconductors.

Ms Kamikawa told Mr Wang Japan’s semiconductor export restrictions were not aimed at any specific country, and Japan is willing to maintain constructive communication with China and handle them properly, according to the statement.

The two ministers said they would seek to build up regular communications and had extended mutual invites to visit their respective countries to continue talks, according to Japan’s Foreign Ministry. REUTERS