Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi spoke by telephone today for a half-hour, their first conversation since Motegi was reappointed Foreign Minister by newly-inaugurated Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The reports on the call given by both nations concur that both governments seek to improve relations, and resolve differences.
“Minister Motegi stated that as the international situation changes significantly, the responsibilities that both China and Japan bear have grown substantially. The two foreign ministers confirmed that they share a broad direction of comprehensively promoting a `Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests’ and building `constructive and stable Japan-China relations,’” the Japanese Foreign Ministry reported.
It added that the two Foreign Ministers furthermore confirmed “that they would reduce issues and concerns and increase mutual understanding and cooperation under this broad direction,” and agreed on “the importance of having communication at various levels, including between the leaders and foreign ministers.”
China’s Global Times, citing the Chinese Foreign Ministry readout on the call, acknowledged that “China has noted some positive signals released by Japan’s new cabinet,” and agrees that “high-level exchange is of great significance to the development of China-Japan relations.” Wang also described China and Japan as “important neighbors to each other,” and told Motegi that “China is willing to work with Japan to comprehensively advance strategic relationship of mutual benefit between the two countries in accordance with the principles and direction set out in the four China-Japan political documents.” He, too, spoke of building “a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship.”
Difficulties and reasons for mistrust in their bilateral relations were indeed discussed and referenced in both readouts, but both parties agree that it is their mutual intent to move back to normal, friendly relations which is most important.
Japan’s Kyodo News asked Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Guo Jiakun today if President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Sanae Taikaichi would meet while both are in the Republic of Korea for the APEC summit. Guo’s answer left it open: “I have no information to share at the moment.”
British-minded geopoliticians will not be amused, but this is a good trajectory for the rest of humanity.
