Prime Minister Kishida Considers Economic Relations with China
Chinese State Media Reports Japan Business Federation Preparing China-Japan Business Event on 29th
[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Cho Young-shin] China's state-run Global Times reported on the 6th, citing Japan's Kyodo News, that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is considering attending a business event commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Japan.
The Global Times explained that Prime Minister Kishida, who has made hostile remarks toward China and intervened in the Taiwan issue, is considering attending the business event in light of economic relations with China. The outlet added that Japan's largest economic organization, Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), is preparing a business event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Japan-China diplomatic relations on the 29th.
The Global Times also reported that Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed willingness to meet Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, which will be held from the 21st to the 27th.
Da Zegang, Director of the Northeast Asia Research Institute at the Heilongjiang Academy of Social Sciences, commented on this, saying, "Japan is geopolitically biased toward the United States, but it understands the importance of relations with China," and evaluated that such moves by the Japanese political sphere are natural.
The Global Times pointed out that China-Japan relations are much more important economically than politically. It argued that the Japanese political sphere should listen to domestic voices calling for improved relations with China.
The outlet warned that Japan must be cautious in its words and actions to properly manage relations with China and neighboring countries, and that blind following of the United States does not help bilateral relations.
The media also expressed dissatisfaction with Japan's stance on the Taiwan issue. It criticized the Japanese government for labeling China as a threat regarding the Chinese People's Liberation Army's military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, while remaining silent about the causes and background.
China conducted large-scale military exercises in the Taiwan Strait to pressure Taiwan immediately after Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, visited Taiwan. China regards Pelosi's visit as a provocation by the United States against China.
Director Da said, "Japan should have a greater vision for bilateral relations and choose national interests from a long-term perspective."
The Global Times emphasized that Japan promised the "One China" principle at the time of establishing diplomatic relations but is changing its stance on the 50th anniversary, urging the Japanese political sphere to uphold the core of the diplomatic relations established at that time.
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