Kono, Wang Agree to Work Harder for Leaders’ Visits

August 3, 2018

Singapore- Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, affirmed their intentions on Thursday to boost efforts to realize mutual visits by the two countries' leaders.

At their meeting in Singapore, Kono and Wang, who doubles as state councillor, agreed to speed up work for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to China by the end of this year and a reciprocal visit to Japan by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The foreign ministers shared the view that the relationship between Tokyo and Beijing has returned to a normal path following the successful Japan visit by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in May.

The two also agreed to realize private-sector cooperation related to China's One Belt, One Road development initiative for regions along the old Silk Road.

Japan and China will be able to live up to expectations from the international community by strengthening bilateral cooperation in dealing with North Korean and other issues, Kono said.

Kono and Wang reaffirmed cooperation to denuclearize North Korea.

Meanwhile, Kono expressed concerns over Chinese government ships' repeated intrusions into Japanese waters around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, southernmost Japan, and China's gas development activities near the so-called Japan-China median line in the East China Sea.

Wang asserted the need to control differences of opinions. The Japanese-administered islands in the East China Sea are claimed by Beijing.

Kono also voiced concerns over the situation in the South China Sea, where China is stepping up military base development, while Wang claimed that the situation is heading in a stable direction.

Apparently with intensifying trade friction between China and the United States in mind, Wang said there is currently a move toward unilateralism and protectionism.

Kono and Wang highlighted the importance of maintaining free trade systems.

The Kono-Wang meeting took place on the sidelines of a series of meetings related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Jiji Press