Japan protests China’s island incursions during FM visit
Relations between the 2 international locations have been strained over territorial disputes and wartime historical past, regardless that ties have improved in recent times whereas China’s commerce dispute with the U.S. has escalated.
The territorial row in centered on Japanese-controlled East China Sea islands, which Japan calls Senkaku and China calls Diaoyu. Chinese coast guard ships have stepped up exercise across the islands regardless of protests and warnings by the Japanese authorities.
Kato mentioned Japan’s authorities protested earlier Wednesday when Chinese ships entered Japan’s contiguous zone, simply exterior of its territorial waters, for the 306th time this yr.
“I conveyed (to Wang) our concerns about the activities of the Chinese government ships around the islands and asked for positive steps by China,” Kato mentioned. He mentioned Wang mentioned China hoped to make a constructive relationship with Japan and play constructive roles within the area.
On Tuesday, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Wang agreed to strive to not escalate tensions across the islands.
The two overseas ministers additionally agreed to renew enterprise journey between the world’s second and third economies by way of a “business track” program that can permit guests to have interaction in restricted actions during their 14-day quarantine intervals. They additionally agreed to work collectively on local weather change, power conservation, well being care and digital commerce as a part of their financial cooperation.
Wang is predicted to satisfy with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Wednesday, the primary assembly with the Japanese chief by a high Chinese official for the reason that February visit of Chinese overseas coverage chief Yang Jiechi.
Wang’s visit comes amid rising issues about China’s growing affect within the area. Japan is selling navy and financial partnerships with international locations within the Indo-Pacific area to counter China’s rise.
After his visit to Japan, Wang will head for conferences in South Korea.
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