Sober Leaders of Japan and China Discuss Mutual Benefit

The Prime Minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi, had her first meeting with the President of People’s Republic of China (PRC), Xi Jinping, in the backdrop of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit at Gyeongju, South Korea, on October 31st. Both leaders agreed on maintaining a basic principle of their bilateral relations for years, called “mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.” However, it became a meeting without smile, reflecting their complicated relations these years.

At the beginning of the meeting, Xi told Takaichi that he was ready for development of China-Japan relations on the right track. Takaichi replied that she hoped to reduce various issues between their countries and increase understandings and cooperation to achieve certain result. Takaichi insisted on developing personal relationship with Xi through dialogues. They concurred on building “constructive and stable Japan-China relations.”

 

Two leaders raised a lot of issues on the table. Takaichi expressed serious concern over China’s escalation and maritime survey activities in the East China Sea, including around Senkaku Islands. Both leaders agreed on importance of ensuring effective crisis management and communication between defense authorities to avoid an unexpected collision. Takaichi also concerned China’s export controls on rare earth.

 

Perhaps, Takaichi was not the most preferable counterpart for Xi among the five candidates of presidential election of the Liberal Democratic Party in October. She has been known as keeping close ties with Taiwan. She visited Taiwan in April, having a meeting with the President of Republic of China, Lai Ching-te. Takaichi is a regular visitor of Yasukuni Shrine, causing negative sentiment in the PRC.

 

While Takaichi raised her serious concern about situations in the South China Sea, Hong Kong, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Xi told Takaichi that the Murayama Statement, which expressed remorse on Japan’s aggression, should be succeeded and demanded Japan not to undermine China-Japan relations with such issue as history or Taiwan. It was unusual that the leaders talk about domestic issues of their counterparts.

 

The meeting revealed how Takaichi is relying on legacy of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The concept of “Mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests” originates from first Abe administration. Although she refrained from visiting Yasukuni Shrine in the fall festival this year, Takaichi has been questioning China’s opposition to Japanese political leaders’ visit to the shrine, as Abe had been so.

 

With a practical interest of improving bilateral relationship facing pressure on tariffs from the United States, Takaichi’s predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, drew some mitigation from China for resumption of import from Japan. However, Takaichi could not achieve any sign from Xi for further increase of importing from Japan. Xi did not promise any further measures to release the Japanese who are detained in China with suspect of crime, in spite of Takaichi’s request. The meeting made a clear contrast in Takaichi’s diplomacy, compared to the meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

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