Chinese Media: Positive Outcomes from China-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Resumption of Business Exchanges, Strengthening Cooperation on Joint COVID-19 Response
No Mention of President Xi Jinping's Japan Visit Schedule

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), China and Japan, whose relations had worsened over the issue of the origin of COVID-19, have achieved good results through a meeting between their foreign ministers, according to major Chinese media.

China's state-run Global Times reported on the 25th that Wang Yi, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister, who is visiting Japan, and Japan's Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu held a meeting the previous day, stating, "The two countries achieved results in strengthening bilateral relations, including the resumption of business exchanges, through this meeting," praising the outcome.

The Global Times introduced that during this meeting, both sides agreed to cooperate on ▲resuming business exchanges ▲COVID-19 response ▲regulations on imports of Japanese food products ▲successful hosting of the Japanese Summer and Chinese Winter Olympics ▲and economic recovery of both countries.

The media emphasized, "Minister Wang and Foreign Minister Motegi had in-depth discussions and mutual communication on China-Japan relations and shared interests," adding, "Five important joint understandings were reached during this meeting."

Furthermore, it added, "This meeting was the first face-to-face meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries since the outbreak of COVID-19," and "Both sides wished to resume cooperation in areas such as high-level exchanges, economic trade, negotiations between diplomatic authorities, security dialogue, and tourism."

There was no mention of Chinese President Xi Jinping's planned visit to Japan, which was originally scheduled for around April this year.