Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi held phone talks on Wednesday, agreeing on the importance of high-level exchanges and building stable bilateral relations. The 30-minute discussion was the first between the two nations' foreign ministers since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet launched last week. With the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit starting Friday in South Korea, attention focuses on a possible meeting between Takaichi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The phone talks lasted about half an hour. According to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Motegi and Wang confirmed that their countries will comprehensively promote a “mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.” Motegi expressed “concerns” regarding China’s export controls on rare earths and Beijing’s military activities around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. He also called for the early release of Japanese nationals detained in China.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang mentioned historical and Taiwan issues during the talks, expressing his hope that Japan will “safeguard the political foundation of China-Japan relations and promote their continued improvement and development along the right track.” His comments appear to indirectly discourage Takaichi from paying a visit to Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, while also urging Japan’s restraint against promoting relations with Taiwan.
As Takaichi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which is starting Friday in South Korea, the focus is on whether the two leaders will have a meeting on its sidelines. These talks mark an initial step toward stabilizing Japan-China relations following the new cabinet's launch.