Talks between China and Japan’s foreign ministers in Beijing have paved the way for Japan to host China’s foreign affairs chief next year, and a mutual agreement to hold a security dialogue as soon as possible, Japan said on Wednesday.
The one-day visit by Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya to the Chinese capital was his first since becoming foreign minister in October, and aimed to discuss thorny issues with China, Japan’s largest trading partner. The two countries have a complicated relationship, with long-standing geopolitical disagreements and historical wartime sensitivities.
Iwaya raised several security concerns, including the installation of a buoy by China in Japan’s exclusive economic zone near one of Japan’s southernmost islands, and the increasing activity of the Chinese military. He also expressed concerns about the situation in the East China Sea and North Korea’s security alliance with Russia.
In return, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Japan to take “necessary action” to address China’s concerns. The two ministers also discussed the ban on Japanese seafood, with no indication of any easing of restrictions, but an agreement to “properly implement” a recent agreement.
The two countries also agreed to hold a security dialogue as soon as possible, and to continue high-level talks, including potentially an economic dialogue during the 2025 visit. Japan will remove some requirements for three-year multiple entry tourist visas for Chinese citizens and allow those on group visas to stay up to 30 days, in reciprocity to China’s eased visa rules.
The countries also discussed the safety and security of Japanese nationals, with Iwaya calling for more transparency and the release of those detained under China’s anti-espionage law. Japan has expressed “grave concern” over North Korea’s security alliance with Russia, and sought for China to partake in a “responsible role in maintaining peace and security in the international community.”