Japan’s Ishiba expresses concerns over ‘China’s increasing military activities’ to Xi Jinping at APEC Summit – Firstpost

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed “serious concerns” to Chinese President Xi Jinping about the situation in the South China Sea in their first face-to-face meeting, Tokyo’s foreign ministry said on Saturday.

However, both Tokyo and Beijing said in a statement following talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru that the two agreed to work to expand cultural exchanges and maintain high-level dialogue on the economy.

The meeting came after Ishiba, who led the ruling coalition to its worst election result in the last 15 years, retained his post as prime minister in this week’s parliamentary vote.

Relations between Japan and China have deteriorated as Beijing has increased its military capabilities in the region and Tokyo has strengthened security ties with the United States and its allies.

Japan’s foreign ministry said Ishiba “conveyed to Xi his serious concerns regarding the increasing activities of the Chinese military.”

He emphasized that “the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait is extremely important to Japan and the international community, while also expressing serious concerns about the situation surrounding the South China Sea, Hong Kong and Xinjiang.”

China has stepped up military pressure on self-ruled Taiwan in recent years to pressure Taipei to accept sovereignty claims that the island’s government rejects.

Beijing has also become more forceful in recent months about its vast territorial claims in the East and South China Seas.

Chain of uninhabited islands claimed by Beijing but administered by Tokyo , The region, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, has long been a point of tension between the neighbours.

Xi said he hoped Japan would work with China to “correctly handle issues of history and fundamental principles such as Taiwan” and “constructively manage differences”, according to a statement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Xi said China and Japan, whose “economic interests, industry and supply chains are deeply intertwined,” should “maintain win-win cooperation and maintain stable and unhindered production and supply chains as well as the global free trade system.”

Tokyo said they decided to “work towards holding high-level dialogue on cultural exchanges and the economy, as well as mutual visits of relevant foreign ministers.”

Another recent flashpoint in bilateral relations was the fatal stabbing of a 10-year-old Japanese student in Shenzhen in September.

Japan’s foreign ministry said Ishiba called on Xi to “strengthen measures to ensure the security of Japanese citizens” living in China, while Xi promised that “the security of foreign nationals, including the Japanese people, will be guaranteed.”

Ishiba also met with outgoing US President Joe Biden at APEC and held trilateral talks with Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

“We strongly oppose any unilateral attempt to change the status quo in Asia-Pacific waters,” the three leaders said in a joint statement, without directly mentioning China.

“We resolutely oppose the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels and coercive activities in the South China Sea,” the statement said.