China and Japan Discuss Senkaku Sovereignty Issue via Video Conference

Amid the territorial dispute between Japan and China, the Senkaku Islands (called Diaoyu Islands in Chinese), which are under Japan's effective control [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] China and Japan will engage in discussions to resolve the Senkaku Islands dispute (called Diaoyu Dao in Chinese), over which the two countries are in territorial conflict.

Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced at a regular briefing on the 21st that China and Japan will hold the 14th China-Japan Senior Maritime Affairs Dialogue via video conference the following day.

The meeting is expected to be attended by officials from both countries' foreign affairs, defense, maritime law enforcement, and maritime management departments, who will seek ways to resolve territorial issues including the Senkaku Islands dispute.

The China-Japan Senior Maritime Affairs Dialogue is an annual dialogue mechanism established in 2012. Spokesperson Mao stated, "The China-Japan Senior Maritime Affairs Dialogue is a comprehensive communication mechanism for maritime affairs between the two countries," adding, "In this meeting, we hope to fully exchange views with the Japanese side on maritime issues of mutual interest, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and promote practical cooperation."

Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a summit in Bangkok, Thailand, on the 17th, where they agreed to "open a direct hotline as soon as possible for defense sector maritime and aviation contact mechanisms, strengthen dialogue and communication between defense and maritime-related sectors, and jointly adhere to the 'Four-Point Principles' agreement reached in 2014."

The Four-Point Principles include the phrase recognizing "that there are differing claims regarding the recent tensions in the East China Sea, including the Senkaku Islands (referred to as Diaoyu Dao by China)."