Wang Yi urges efforts to push for sound development of China-Japan ties

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday urged efforts to push the sound and correct development of China-Japan relations.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa on the sidelines of the trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting between China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), in Busan, ROK. 

Wang highlighted the recent talks between the two heads of state in San Francisco, emphasizing their commitment to the principles and consensus outlined in the four political documents between the two countries. They aim to comprehensively advance strategic and mutually beneficial bilateral relations, working towards a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that meets the demands of the new era.

This, according to Wang, has set an important political course for bilateral relations, and he urged efforts to implement the consensus reached by both leaders for the sound and correct development of China-Japan relations.

Emphasizing that peaceful coexistence, lasting friendship, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development serve the fundamental interests of the two peoples, Wang called on both sides to formulate corresponding roadmaps and timetables to implement strategic and mutually beneficial bilateral relations.

To that end, both sides need to establish correct mutual understanding, making sure that the two countries do not pose a threat to each other, but are each other’s cooperative partners, said Wang.

Stressing the need to respect each other’s legitimate concerns, he said Japan should keep its commitments on the Taiwan question, firmly adhere to the one-China principle and refrain from interfering in China’s internal affairs.

Regarding the discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the sea, Wang said it is related to marine security and public health and China opposes Japan’s irresponsible practices, urging the need to establish a comprehensive, effective and independent long-term monitoring mechanism for all stakeholders.

He also called for strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly resisting anti-globalization and protectionism to maintain the stability and smooth flow of the industrial and supply chains.

Kamikawa, for her part, said Japan is willing to cooperate closely with China to enhance dialogues and continuously accumulate positive factors to promote Japan-China relations to move forward in the direction set out by the two leaders.

Japan’s position on the Taiwan question has not changed, she said, expressing willingness to adopt a constructive attitude and find appropriate ways to resolve the issue of the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water through dialogues.

Both sides agreed to actively explore the holding of a new round of high-level economic dialogue and high-level people-to-people exchange consultation mechanism meetings, as well as the China-Japan strategic dialogue and security dialogue.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula question.