Xi seen demonstrating ties with Japan at meeting with Abe

June 23, 2019

Beijing--Chinese President Xi Jinping apparently hopes to reconfirm with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at their expected meeting in Japan next week that relations between the two Asian neighbors have returned to a normal path.

At the meeting that may be set for Thursday, the two leaders are also expected to exchange views on expanding the two countries' cooperation.

Still, since China's position is that the president's upcoming visit to Japan will be for him to attend an international meeting, the adoption of a joint statement is likely to be put off until Xi's possible state visit to the country, seen as early as for spring next year, informed sources said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry officially announced on Sunday that Xi will visit Japan for three days from Thursday to take part in the two-day summit of the Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies, to be held in the city of Osaka, western Japan, from Friday.

This will be Xi's first Japan visit since he assumed the post of president in March 2013. He will also be the first Chinese president to visit Japan since his immediate predecessor, Hu Jintao, traveled to the country to attend the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, in November 2010.

Amid intensifying U.S.-China trade tensions, Xi is believed to be hoping to obtain certain understanding from Abe, who chairs the G-20 summit, for Beijing's position over the trade issue.

The Japanese side for its part is pinning high hopes on Xi's long-awaited visit to Japan.

A Japanese government official showed expectations that Xi will announce plans to lift or ease China's restrictions on food imports from Japan, introduced after the March 2011 triple meltdown at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holding Inc.'s <9501> tsunami-stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power station in northeastern Japan.

Xi, who visited North Korea on Thursday and Friday, may give an explanation to Abe about the outcome of a meeting he had with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the travel, sources said.

Xi and Abe may also discuss the timing of a possible visit to China by the Japanese leader for a trilateral summit among their countries plus South Korea, which will be hosted by China, the sources said.

Meanwhile, Japan and China remain at loggerheads over the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, claimed by China, which calls them Diaoyu.

Chinese government ships continue to be spotted sailing in waters off the islands. A Chinese marine research ship was seen operating within Japan's exclusive economic zone around the island chain twice earlier this month without obtaining prior consent from the Japanese side.

Under the circumstances, close attention will be paid to any possible remarks from Xi on the island issue, the sources said. Jiji Press