Japan intends to engage China toward resolving outstanding issues

ANKARA

Japan’s Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi on Wednesday said Tokyo intends to engage China through discussions toward resolving outstanding issues and expanding cooperation between the two countries.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the 20th Tokyo-Beijing Forum in Tokyo, Takeshi said that both Japan and China have a “significant responsibility” for the region and the international community, and “it is desirable to develop Japan-China relations for many countries and people,” said a Japan’s Foreign Ministry statement.

The two sides, he added, will strengthen communication at “all levels,” following a mutual understanding between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

“Japan-China relations are founded on exchanges and mutual understanding between their people. I expect that candid exchanges of views at the forum among experts from both countries will yield positive outcomes,” he maintained.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi participated in the opening ceremony by a video message.

Wang expressed hope that Japan will “objectively” and “rationally” view Beijing’s development, and “work with China to adhere to the correct positioning of comprehensively promoting strategic and mutually beneficial relations and practice the important consensus of being partners and not posing a threat to each other.”

“In the face of the rise of unilateralism and the growth of protectionism, China and Japan should jointly safeguard the unity and cooperation in Asia and prevent external forces from instigating confrontation and opposition,” Wang maintained."

Tokyo-Beijing Forum is a non-government forum for holding dialogue, participated by experts from Japan and China.

Organized by The Genron NPO and the China International Communications Group, it has been held annually since 2005, alternating between Tokyo and Beijing.