Japan PM Takaichi, China’s Xi seek mutually beneficial ties in first talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Oct 31 reaffirmed their countries’ shared policy of promoting a “strategic and mutually beneficial relationship” and building “constructive and stable ties” as they held their first summit talks.

Their first encounter since Ms Takaichi became Japan’s prime minister last week took place amid signs that Beijing was taking a cautious approach toward the leader, known as a pro-Taiwan politician. The two leaders met in South Korea.

Mr Xi expressed willingness to maintain communication with Ms Takaichi and jointly advance bilateral relations “on the right track”, while the new Japanese leader called for “candid talks” to ease concerns between the Asian neighbours in their opening remarks.

The Chinese leader noted that the new Cabinet led by Ms Takaichi attaches importance to Sino-Japanese relations, describing the two countries as neighbours vital to each other.

Following their 30-minute talks, Ms Takaichi told reporters that she conveyed to Mr Xi concerns over various issues ranging from Chinese vessels’ activities near the Tokyo-controlled, Beijing-claimed Senkaku Islands and

Beijing’s rare earth export controls

to the human rights situations in the far-western Xinjiang region and Hong Kong.

“We confirmed the importance of communicating with each other through multiple channels. As we have issues of concern, dialogue is all the more necessary,” Ms Takaichi said, voicing her willingness to continue talks with Mr Xi.

Referring to China’s maritime assertiveness in the South China Sea as well as the East China Sea, where the Senkakus are located, Ms Takaichi said she agreed with Mr Xi on the importance of crisis management and communication between the defence authorities of the two countries.

On Taiwan, the self-ruled democratic island claimed by Communist-led China as part of its territory, Ms Takaichi said she told Mr Xi that stable cross-strait relations are key to regional stability.

Ms Takaichi also said she asked Mr Xi to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens living in China following several attacks on Japanese expatriates, while exchanging views on the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago.

Mr Xi expressed hope that the Takaichi Cabinet will have a “correct understanding” of China and properly manage differences, so the relationship between the two countries will not be defined by contradictions and disagreements, according to state-run China Central Television.

The Chinese leader also said the two Asian neighbours must adhere to the principles on issues such as history and Taiwan set out in their four political documents signed in 1972, 1978, 1998 and 2008, in an apparent warning to the new Japanese Prime Minister.

A joint communique signed in 1972 states that China “reiterates that Taiwan is an inalienable part” of its territory and Japan “fully understands and respects this stand”.

Mr Xi also urged Tokyo to follow the spirit of the

“Murayama statement”

issued by the late prime minister Tomiichi Murayama in 1995, in which he expressed Japan’s “deep remorse” and “heartfelt apology” for “the tremendous damage and suffering” inflicted by its colonial rule and aggression.

Earlier in the day, Ms Takaichi posted on social media a photo showing her and Mr Xi exchanging smiles before the start of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju.

Later on Oct 31, however, the premier wrote on X that she had spoken with Taiwan’s former vice-premier, Mr Lin Hsin-i, who represented the island at the Apec summit – a move that could irk China.

Japan and China have long been at odds over historical, territorial and other issues, including repeated intrusions by Chinese coast guard vessels into Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands, which Beijing calls the Diaoyu, and the issue of Taiwan.

In an apparent warning, China’s top diplomat, Mr Wang Yi, told his Japanese counterpart, Mr Toshimitsu Motegi,

during phone talks on

Oct 28

that the issues regarding history and Taiwan concern “the foundation of bilateral relations and basic trust and faith” between the two countries.

Signalling wariness over her hard-line foreign policy, Mr Xi did not send a congratulatory message to Ms Takaichi when she assumed the premiership, despite having done so for her three predecessors, according to a diplomatic source. KYODO NEWS