Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held her first in-person talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on October 31 on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea. Both leaders expressed intentions to advance a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship and build a constructive and stable one. The meeting marks the first Japan-China summit since November 2024 in Peru.
The meeting between Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and President Xi Jinping took place amid strained Japan-China relations due to deep rifts on issues from national security to the economy, as part of efforts to reassure each other. At the start of the talks, Takaichi stated, “Both Japan and China bear significant responsibilities for the peace and prosperity of the region and the international community,” adding, “We wish to comprehensively advance our strategic and mutually beneficial relationship and build a constructive and stable relationship.”
Xi responded, “A long-term, stable and healthy relationship between the two countries aligns with the shared expectations of the peoples in both countries as well as the international community.” He also noted that Takaichi’s remark in her October 24 policy address calling China “an important neighboring country for Japan” reflects “the degree of importance both countries place on China-Japan relations.”
Takaichi allayed fears of a more hawkish approach toward Beijing by conveying her will to “deepen their personal relationship” and promote a “mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.” The phrase “mutually beneficial strategic ties” originated in a 2006 joint statement between former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi’s political mentor, and then-Chinese President Hu Jintao, referring to promoting bilateral ties, including economic ones, despite political differences.
The talks underscore the importance of candid dialogue for stabilizing Japan-China relations.