Chinese Premier Li Qiang Extends Invitation to Japanese PM Ishiba
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has expressed his openness to hosting Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in China at a mutually convenient time. This gesture reflects Li's willingness to enhance ties between the two nations and his interest in potentially visiting Japan for a trilateral summit involving South Korea, as reported by a Japanese lawmaker.
During a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Hiroshi Moriyama, the secretary general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, alongside Komeito party counterpart Makoto Nishida, conveyed that there are positive indications regarding China's plans to lift its ban on Japanese seafood imports. Moriyama stated that he presented a personal letter from Ishiba to Chinese President Xi Jinping, with Li assuring him of its prompt delivery.
Moreover, Wang Yi, China's top diplomat, has expressed eagerness to visit Japan in March, which would mark the first trip by a Chinese foreign minister to Japan since November 2020, according to diplomatic sources. If Wang's visit comes to fruition, it would coincide with the first bilateral high-level economic dialogue between Japan and China in approximately six years, aimed at revitalizing economic cooperation.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasized the importance of the recent talks in Beijing, highlighting that effective communication at multiple levels is essential for both nations. He noted the necessity of addressing mutual concerns while fostering an environment conducive to cooperation and improved relations.
Moriyama and Nishida's visit to China, spanning three days, aimed to mend the currently strained bilateral relations. As Japan assumes the role of chair for a trilateral framework involving China and South Korea this year, there is a renewed focus on diplomatic engagement. Li had participated in a summit in Seoul last May, while Wang attended a foreign ministerial meeting in Busan in November 2023.
Initially, there were discussions regarding Wang's potential visit to Japan in early February, following the Lunar New Year festivities. However, it now appears that the visit has been rescheduled for late March, subsequent to the annual session of China's parliament, which begins on March 5.
During their time in China, the Japanese lawmakers advocated for the removal of the blanket ban on Japanese seafood imports, imposed by China in August 2023 due to Japan's discharge of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. In a prior agreement, China indicated a willingness to gradually lift the ban, contingent upon further monitoring arrangements.
Additionally, the Japanese delegation urged Beijing to ensure the safety of its nationals within China, amid rising tensions following the tragic stabbing incident involving a Japanese boy in Shenzhen last September.
On a related note, Moriyama and Nishida participated in a regular dialogue session between the ruling parties of Japan and China, which marked the first such meeting since October 2018. They emphasized the need to cultivate mutual trust through enhanced personnel exchanges. Following this, they also met with Wang Huning, a senior figure within the Chinese Communist Party's leadership hierarchy.
