At the APEC summit in San Francisco, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida faced Chinese President Xi Jinping with a number of serious concerns, signaling a significant shift in the Japan-China relationship. Mr. Kishida's position argued for a "constructive and stable Japan-China relationship," altering bilateral relations.
The Nov. 16 encounter was the first between Mr. Kishida and Mr. Xi in a year, lasting 20 minutes longer than the allotted 65 minutes. On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Japan-China Peace and Friendship Treaty, Mr. Kishida stressed the shared duty of both nations as key regional and global powers to contribute to world peace and stability.
Mr. Kishida urged mutual collaboration in economics, cultural exchanges, environmental sustainability, energy conservation, and healthcare, subject to the protection of lawful business activity. He emphasized the necessity of security discussion by mentioning the recent installation of a direct marine and aerial communication hotline between Japanese and Chinese military officials.
Mr. Kishida, on the other hand, voiced alarm about the situation in the East China Sea, particularly the area near the Senkaku Islands, known in China as the Diaoyu Islands. He encouraged China to remove unlawfully installed buoys in Japan's exclusive economic zone and expressed concern over the Chinese Communist Party's growing military activity near Japan, including joint drills with Russia.
The Taiwan Strait tensions were also a topic of debate. Mr. Kishida emphasized the significance of strait peace and stability for the world community and Japan. He also demanded the release of Japanese individuals held in China on suspicion of spying.
Mr. Kishida encouraged the CCP to make science-based choices and abolish import restrictions on Japanese seafood in response to the sensitive issue of Japan releasing treated nuclear water into the ocean. He also expressed worry over human rights violations in China.
Mr. Kishida emphasized the need for continuous leader-level dialogue and crisis management. “It is precisely because we face challenges that active dialogue between leaders is essential for managing our bilateral relations,” he stated.
In response, Mr. Xi first avoided concrete comments, only agreeing to discussion when Mr. Kishida pressed him.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe suggested a "strategic reciprocal relationship" between Japan and China during his 2006 visit to China, which was formalized in the 2008 Japan-China Joint Statement on Advancing a Strategic Reciprocal partnership. This idea aims to promote mutually beneficial collaboration and peaceful cohabitation, as well as to raise Japan-China ties to a new level.
However, Japan's perspective of the CCP and its strategic aims shifted over time, triggering a transformation in the framework of the bilateral relationship. Mr. Kishida's more forceful approach against China was bolstered by this move.
The term "strategic reciprocal relationship" was conspicuously removed from the Japanese government's "Diplomatic Bluebook 2020" section on Japan-China ties. While acknowledging economic and cultural links, the letter expressed worry about CCP acts that violated international law, such as intrusions into Japan's territorial waters and airspace surrounding the Senkaku Islands.
The "strategic reciprocal relationship" strategy, which was envisioned in a previous age with bright prospects, has been eclipsed by the CCP's actions, which have departed from the policy's goal and caused Japan to reevaluate its diplomatic standing.
The "Diplomatic Bluebook 2021" emphasized Japan's concerns. It identified the CCP's oblique military expansion and unilateral efforts to affect regional dynamics as important international issues. The statement voiced grave worry about Hong Kong's National Security Law and the CCP's human rights breaches, which undermined the "one country, two systems" ideal.
The Japanese government declared unequivocally in this edition that it has various concerns with the CCP, including territorial sovereignty breaches, and that it intends to settle these through discussion. The adjectives "stable" and "constructive" were used instead of "strategic" and "reciprocal," highlighting the importance of a stable Japan-China relationship for both countries, the region, and the international community as a whole.
The "Diplomatic Bluebook 2022" outlined the CCP's rising assertiveness and military advances, underlining these developments as serious security concerns to Japan and the rest of the world. It also underlined the CCP's threats to universal human principles.
This issue bolstered Japan-US relations. The alliance serves as the foundation of Japan's foreign policy and security, which is especially important in the present complex regional security context.
Concerning China, the Bluebook recognized the complexities of Japan-China relations, highlighting challenges such as the CCP's unilateral operations in the East China Sea. As previously said, Japan's response will be cautious yet forceful. The text emphasized the importance of Japan-China ties for regional and global peace, with Japan urging China to take responsible steps to develop a "constructive and stable Japan-China relationship."
