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 Japan Brief |
| 【Japan Brief】Japan-China Summit Talks: Leaders Confirm Coordination in Response to Global Crises |
Japan Brief/FPCJ, No. 0924
May 1, 2009
Japan-China Summit Talks: Leaders Confirm
Coordination in Response to Global Crises
Prime Minister Taro Aso visited China on April 29 and 30 and held separate talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. The following is a summary of the meetings based on reports in Japan’s main newspapers.
(1) Regarding measures in response to the outbreak of a new strain of influenza, Prime Minister Aso said, “This is a serious problem, and our two countries must cooperate fully.” President Hu responded, “As neighboring countries, Japan and China share the risk of infection, so we can cooperate in this field.” The two leaders agreed that from now on Japan and China will closely exchange information relating to infection and quarantine and cooperate in the prevention of infection.
(2) On the response to the global economic crisis, the Japanese and Chinese leaders confirmed their policies of promoting economic measures centered on the expansion of domestic demand and agreed to oppose protectionism.
(3) On the North Korea problem, regarding Pyongyang’s recent missile launch, Prime Minister Aso noted that as a result of close cooperation with the Chinese government, the United Nations Security Council was able to promptly issue a unified message to North Korea from the international community. The leaders affirmed that Japan and China would coordinate closely toward the early resumption of the six-party talks.
(4) On nuclear disarmament, Prime Minister Aso requested, “As the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, Japan welcomes the nuclear disarmament policy of the US administration. We would like China also to cooperate in order to advance global nuclear disarmament.”
In addition, the leaders of the two countries agreed, among other things, to hold the Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue in June, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the environmental and energy fields, and to establish regular charter flights between Haneda Airport in Tokyo and Beijing. In respect of several other problems, however, including pending bilateral issues, the discussions did not see any progress.
At a press conference for Japanese and foreign journalists held on April 30 after his meeting with President Hu, Prime Minister Aso commented, “Over a period of little more than six months, I have had four meetings each with President Hu and Premier Wen. I am most gratified that Japan and China have a relationship which involves close communication.”
Newspaper Editorials
Japan’s five main national newspapers all carried editorials on the Japan-China summit meetings.
The Yomiuri Shimbun editorial (May 1), headlined “Japan-China summit: Becoming a superficial ‘strategic and mutually beneficial relationship,’” welcomed the frequent dialogue between the leaders of Japan and China, saying that “The bilateral summits seem to be firmly on track.” However, it went on, “The important thing is whether any specific progress was made befitting ‘mutually beneficial’ relations.” Noting that no concrete progress was seen in the latest summit on such issues as the Chinese government’s attempt to introduce a compulsory certification system whereby foreign suppliers would be obliged to disclose technological data about information technology products, the response to North Korea, gas field development in the East China Sea, and Chinese-made frozen dumplings that caused a food-poisoning outbreak in Japan, the Yomiuri expressed concern that the “mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests” proclaimed by the two governments was becoming “superficial.”
Under the headline “IT friction: The sparkle and threat of China’s market power,” the Asahi Shimbun (May 1) noted, “The keynote of bilateral consultations is a ‘mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.’ This time, however, unanticipated problems also emerged in the spotlight.” Citing the example of China’s introduction of a compulsory certification system for suppliers of IT products, which is strongly opposed by Japan, the United States, and Europe, the Asahi observed, “Amid the global economic crisis, no doubt China’s awareness that it is the only growth market in the world lies behind its bullish attitude.” It went on, “The power relations between Japan and China are changing as well. China will probably make some tough moves. Instead of being passive, even more than before Japan will need to pursue a diplomacy that sees what is coming and makes the first move based on international cooperation.”
The Mainichi Shimbun editorial (May 1), titled “Japan-China summit: Top-level exchange is important, but . . . ,” welcomed the frequent dialogue between the leaders of the two countries, saying that “It is a complete change from the era of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, when relations chilled because of the prime minister’s visits to Yasukuni Shrine.” In addition, the Mainichi praised the fact that agreement had been reached in a wide range of fields in the latest summit. On the other hand, it also pointed out that differences of opinion on such issues as nuclear disarmament, the response to North Korea, and the understanding of history, came to the surface again. The Mainichi concluded, “As the distance between the United States and China shrinks, a stagnation in ties between Japan and China would mean that the concept of a ‘mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests’ would fizzle out. Instead of just boasting about the frequency of their summit meetings, the top leaders of Japan and China should continue their efforts to build trustworthy relations as ‘eternal neighbors’ (Prime Minister Aso).”
Under the headline “Can Japan and China share the crises?” The Nikkei editorial (May 1) in particular welcomed the fact that agreement had been reached in the summit talks on technological cooperation for the joint development of the next-generation mobile phone, saying that this “will lead to business opportunities for Japanese companies.” On the other hand, regarding China’s introduction of a compulsory certification system for suppliers of IT products and its response to the new flu strain, The Nikkei noted that China is required to respond in a responsible manner toward the international community. It also stated, “Japan and China, which stand side by side as powers in East Asia, are required not only to think about bilateral relations but also to contribute to the recovery of the world economy and to peace and stability. We hope that the leaders of the two countries will share their understanding of current crises, including North Korea’s nuclear and missile development, and display leadership together.”
The Sankei Shimbun editorial (April 30), headlined “Japan-China summit: Don’t end with just superficial mutual benefits,” commented severely, “The summit seems to have shown that the ‘mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests’ between Japan and China is nothing but empty words.” It went on, “While trumpeting a ‘most important bilateral relationship’ (Premier Wen), China nonchalantly dishes up difficult problems. Japan must not relax its position of protecting national interests, including territorial issues involving sovereignty as well as intellectual property rights.” The Sankei also requested of the Japanese government, “It would be a good idea to expand fields of cooperation, such as the environment and energy conservation. The prime minister’s visit to China must not end with avoiding conflicts over sovereignty and national interest and just a pretense of superficial friendship.”
(Copyright 2009 Foreign Press Center, Japan)
*Japan Brief is an original production of the Foreign Press Center, Japan and does not represent the views of the Government of Japan or of any other body.
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