50% Off! Beat the market in 2025 with InvestingProCLAIM SALE

China, Japan foreign ministers agree visit, security dialogue

Published 12/24/2024, 08:03 PM
Updated 12/25/2024, 06:46 AM
© Reuters. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya look on during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Lima, Peru November 14, 2024. REUTERS/Angela Ponce/File Photo
JP225
-

By Liz Lee and Sakura Murakami

BEIJING/TOKYO (Reuters) -Talks between China and Japan's foreign ministers in Beijing have paved way for Japan to host China's foreign affairs chief next year, and mutual agreement to hold a security dialogue as soon as possible, Japan said on Wednesday.

No details were given for when the events will take place but Japan's Takeshi Iwaya told reporters after his meeting and a working lunch with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that both agreed on continued high-level talks, including potentially an economic dialogue during the 2025 visit.

The one-day visit is Iwaya's first to the Chinese capital since becoming Japan's foreign minister in October, to discuss thorny issues with his country's largest trading partner.

It follows an agreement between leaders of both countries to work towards a mutually beneficial strategic relationship.

Ties between the neighbours, trade partners with close economic and investment ties but rivals in security and territorial claims, are complicated with long-standing geopolitical disagreements and historical wartime sensitivities.

Iwaya raised several security concerns, urging China to take "necessary action" including removing a buoy Japan had identified and believe was installed by China in the exclusive economic zone near one of Japan's southernmost islands.

"I also expressed my serious concerns about the situation in the East China Sea...and the increasing activity of the Chinese military," he said.

On regional concerns, Wang and Iwaya discussed North Korea.

Iwaya sought for China to partake in "a responsible role in maintaining peace and security in the international community," he said.

Japan has expressed "grave concern" over North Korea's security alliance with Russia, in which North Korea stands to gain advanced military technology and combat experience.

Wang stressed in the meeting that the significance of the countries' relationship went beyond bilateral ties.

"If China-Japan relations are stable, Asia will be more stable," Wang said at the start of their meeting.

VISA RULES AND SEAFOOD BAN

In reciprocity to China's eased visa rules, 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 from the previous 15.

The country has also introduced a new 10-year multiple entry tourist visa.

Last month, Beijing expanded its visa-free arrangements to include Japan until the end of 2025, restoring a policy that was suspended during the pandemic.

China also extended the stay period to 30 days from 15. Japanese citizens were able to enter China without a visa for up to 14 days before COVID-19.

Iwaya pointed out that addressing the safety and security of Japanese nationals was important to increase travel between Japan and China.

Cases of Japanese nationals detained under China's anti-espionage law and the lack of transparency around the law have led to Japanese people feeling hesitant about travelling to China, Iwaya said, calling for more transparency and the release of those detained.

Their discussion of China's ban on Japanese seafood, highly expected on the agenda, did not indicate any easing on restrictions, but only that both sides agreed to "properly implement" a recent agreement.

A major sticking point in bilateral ties has been Japan's discharge of treated radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant that Beijing strongly opposed and responded to by tightening inspections on Japanese goods.

China was Japan's largest export market for aquatic products until Beijing fully banned them in protest against Tokyo's actions.

Both governments reached an agreement in September that obligates Japan to set up a long-term international monitoring arrangement allowing stakeholders such as China to conduct independent sampling of the treated water.

© Reuters. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya look on during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Lima, Peru November 14, 2024. REUTERS/Angela Ponce/File Photo

That was expected to restart the imports but China still wants reassurances from Tokyo that it would fulfil its commitment before "adjusting relevant measures" and gradually restore imports that meet standards and regulations.

However, both countries were ready to restart talks on resuming Japanese beef and rice imports.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.