China-Japan Foreign Ministers Phone Talk... "Continued Communication for Xi Jinping's April Visit to Japan"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Despite the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the foreign ministers of China and Japan have agreed to continue communication to ensure the scheduled visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Japan in April, NHK and other broadcasters reported on the 27th.

According to the reports, Wang Yi, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister, and Motegi Toshimitsu, Japan's Foreign Minister, held a telephone conference the previous night to discuss this matter. The call was initiated by the Chinese side and lasted about 40 minutes starting from 9:30 PM.

The two foreign ministers agreed on the necessity of making President Xi's state visit to Japan in April, which has been suggested to be postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, a visit with definite achievements, and decided to continue close exchanges of opinions.

Additionally, Foreign Minister Motegi expressed gratitude for China's cooperation in operating charter flights for the return of Japanese nationals who had been staying in Hubei Province, the origin of COVID-19. In response, Minister Wang Yi said, "We deeply appreciate Japan's support so far," NHK reported.

In this regard, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced only discussions related to COVID-19 response without mentioning President Xi's visit to Japan. Commissioner Wang said, "In the face of the epidemic, China and Japan are a community of shared destiny, crossing the river in the same boat (同舟共濟)." He expressed gratitude for the support and assistance received from Japan and stated that China also wishes to help Japan as much as possible going forward.

Meanwhile, Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China responsible for foreign affairs, is reported to visit Japan on the 28th and 29th of this month to coordinate President Xi's visit schedule. NHK reported that Yang is adjusting his schedule to hold talks with Foreign Minister Motegi and Kitamura Shigeru, Director of Japan's National Security Secretariat.