During his visit to Thailand, Prime Minister Kishida held a Japan-China summit meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time in about three years.
While conveying serious concerns about China's military activities around Japan, the two leaders emphasized the importance of building a constructive and stable relationship. We agreed to communicate closely at all levels.
The meeting between Prime Minister Kishida and Chinese President Xi Jinping lasted for about 40 minutes from around 8:45 tonight Japan time.
At the outset, President Xi Jinping of China said, “The importance of bilateral relations has not changed and will not change in the future. I would like to grasp the direction and build bilateral relations that meet the demands of the new era."
Prime Minister Kishida said, "Japan-China relations face many challenges and pending issues, along with various possibilities for cooperation. At the same time, Japan and China share an important responsibility for the peace and prosperity of the region and the international community. It is important for both sides to accelerate the building of a 'constructive and stable Japan-China relationship,' and I look forward to a frank exchange of views to that end." .
At the meeting, Prime Minister Kishida discussed the situation in the East China Sea, including the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, as well as China's launch of ballistic missiles into the waters near Japan, including Japan's EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) in August. I conveyed my serious concern to the military activities in the surrounding area.
On that basis, they emphasized the importance of repeated candid dialogue precisely because there are pending issues, and the two leaders shared the view that they would maintain close communication at all levels, including the summit level, toward the development of Japan-China relations.
In addition, it was confirmed that the defense authorities of both sides will start operating a "hotline" at an early stage to contact each other to prevent accidental clashes, and that they will proceed with the "Japan-China Security Dialogue" by senior officials of the foreign affairs and defense authorities. Did.
It was also agreed that the ministers would resume dialogue, and it was decided to proceed with coordination for Foreign Minister Hayashi's visit to China.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and explained Japan's position on the human rights situation in China and the detention of Japanese nationals.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his expectation that China would make a positive contribution to the international community under established rules, stating that "mutually beneficial cooperation" is possible in specific areas such as the economy and people-to-people exchanges. pointed out.
In addition, the two leaders will support cooperation in the economic field, including the environment and energy conservation, as well as in fields such as medical care and nursing care. confirmed.
In addition, regarding the situation in Ukraine, Prime Minister Kishida once again called for China to take responsible actions to maintain peace and security in the international community, bearing in mind that China has shown consideration for Russia. .
In addition, he stated that he was "extremely concerned" about Russia's threat to use nuclear weapons, and the two leaders shared the view that nuclear weapons should not be used and that nuclear war should not be waged.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida expressed serious concern over North Korea's nuclear and missile development, and urged China to play a role in the United Nations Security Council and elsewhere. confirmed that they will work closely together.
After the meeting, Prime Minister Kishida told reporters about the series of diplomatic schedules, saying, "This is the first face-to-face international conference in a long time. Various exchanges that cannot be expressed in words, such as facial expressions and moods, lead to the building of mutual trust."