In the meeting of foreign ministers, Japan and China scolded each other

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi met his Chinese counterpart on Sunday to protest the detention of a Japanese national in Beijing and expressed “strong concern” over China’s growing military activity in Taiwan and around Japan. Hayashi has gone to China on a two-day visit. He is the first Japanese diplomat to visit China in more than three years amid heightened tensions between the two countries. He is scheduled to meet Premier Li Keqiang and top diplomat Wang Yi on Sunday itself.

During his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Kang, he demanded the early release of an employee of Japanese pharmaceutical company Astellas Pharma who was detained last month on espionage charges. Neither of the two countries has given detailed information about the person and the charges against him. Hayashi told reporters that he expressed “serious concern” over China’s increasing maritime activities in the East and South China Seas and underlined the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Hayashi said he told Chin that there is potential for better cooperation between the two countries in the areas of economic, cultural and people-to-people contacts. At the same time there are many problems and serious concerns. Hayashi said that Japan-China relations are currently at a very important stage. Hayashi said the two sides agreed to work together to build a “constructive and stable relationship”.

Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by China’s foreign ministry, Chin cautioned against Japanese interference in Taiwan-related issues. China has been asserting its claim on Taiwan. Chin said Japan should not interfere and “in no way undermine China’s sovereignty”.

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