During a visit by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi to Beijing, he and his new Chinese counterpart Qin Gang expressed hope that difficulties could be overcome and stable relations established.
Both openly addressed their differences, and Qin Gang urged Japan to have a “correct understanding of China”. Relations between the two countries are strained. Relations were recently strained by the arrest of an employee of the Japanese pharmaceutical company Astellas in Beijing.
Protest against arrest of a Japanese
“I protested the detention of a Japanese man in Beijing,” Hayashi said. He called for the employee’s immediate release. Qin only replied that China would deal with the case “according to the law.”
According to the company, the Astellas Pharma employee was arrested a week ago. Espionage allegations were made against him. According to a report from Japan’s Kyodo News, at least 16 Japanese have been arrested on charges of espionage in China since 2015.
The first meeting of foreign ministers from both countries in three years should pave the way for better relations
Hayashi called for a transparent legal process for the company employee and, according to his own statements, appealed to his interlocutor to ensure a fair and safe environment for doing business in China.
The first meeting of foreign ministers from both countries in three years should pave the way for better relations. Tensions flared last August after five Chinese ballistic missiles fell in waters that Japan claims as an exclusive economic zone. In addition, the missiles hit waters near islands that both countries see as their own territory.
Dispute over semiconductor production
Both countries are also at odds over Japan’s new restrictions on the export of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, with which Tokyo is following the US example. Qin warned Japan against joining US sanctions banning exports of chip-making machines to China. The government in Tokyo announced export restrictions on Friday. Hayashi told reporters the restrictions are not directed at any particular country.
Despite all the differences, the Japanese foreign minister was received at a high level in the People’s Republic – including by the new head of government, Li Qiang. From China, Hayashi will travel to Brussels for NATO deliberations, which will also be attended by his counterparts from other alliance partner countries such as South Korea, Australia and Ukraine.
uh/kle (dpa, rtr)
