China urges Japan’s new administration to take solid ‘first step’ in relations

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Japan’s new administration to take a constructive “first step” in engaging with Beijing and to properly address sensitive issues such as Taiwan and wartime history.

Wang made the remarks during a phone call with his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi on Tuesday – the first high-level diplomatic engagement between Beijing and Tokyo since Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female prime minister a week ago.

Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping, have yet to extend an official congratulatory message to Takaichi – a China hawk – in a departure from precedent that analysts said signalled deepening strains in the relationship.

During Tuesday’s call, Wang congratulated Motegi, who served as Japan’s top diplomat from 2019 to 2021, on his return to office. He emphasised that China’s policy on Japan “remains consistent and stable”, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout.

“China and Japan are important neighbours,” Wang said, expressing Beijing’s willingness to “fully advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit” in line with the principles set out in four key documents that have guided bilateral ties for decades.

He stressed the importance of building “a constructive and stable” China-Japan relationship that “meets the demands of the new era”.

Wang noted “positive signals” from Japan’s new cabinet and underscored the significance of high-level exchanges in fostering bilateral development.

“[Beijing] hopes that the new Japanese cabinet will take a solid ‘first step’ in its engagement with China and ‘fasten the first button correctly’,” he was quoted as saying.

  

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