China Remains Unresponsive to Request to Invite Japanese Economic Delegation, Raising Possibility of Cancellation

Relations Deteriorate After Japanese Prime Minister's Remarks on "Possible Intervention in Taiwan in an Emergency"
Economic, Trade, and People-to-People Exchanges Between the Two Countries Disrupted

Japan's business community is planning a visit to China next month, but with Chinese authorities yet to make an official statement, there are growing concerns that the trip may be canceled.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who visited South Korea as a state guest to attend the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, arrived at Busan Gimhae International Airport on October 30 and is seen disembarking from his private plane. The photo is not directly related to the article. Photo by Yonhap News.

According to Lianhe Zaobao, a Chinese daily in Singapore, on December 20 (local time), a Japanese economic delegation expressed its desire to visit China to maintain economic exchanges. However, with only one month left before the proposed schedule, the Chinese side has not provided a clear response. Lianhe Zaobao reported that the possibility of cancellation has been raised.

According to Kyodo News, Takao Shindo, Chairman of the Japan-China Economic Association, met with Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao in Tokyo on December 18. During the meeting, he requested that a delegation composed of members from the Japan-China Economic Association, the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry be invited to China next month.

It is reported that Chairman Shindo emphasized the importance of maintaining economic exchanges amid the deterioration of China-Japan relations.

The Japan-China Economic Association is pushing for a schedule in which the Japanese economic delegation would meet with senior Chinese officials in Beijing from January 20 to 23. The delegation is expected to include top officials such as Yoshinobu Tsutsui, Chairman of Keidanren, and Ken Kobayashi, Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

However, at a recent press conference, Chairman Kobayashi stated, "I have heard that the response from the Chinese side is not particularly positive."

After Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made remarks on November 7 regarding "possible intervention in Taiwan in an emergency," China-Japan relations have deteriorated, leading to disruptions in economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Although the Japanese parliament has taken steps to mend the situation, little progress has been made so far.

Earlier this month, Yuko Obuchi, a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and other executives of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentary League held an informal meeting with Ambassador Wu Jianghao in Tokyo.

During the meeting, members of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentary League conveyed their intention to visit China within the year, emphasizing the need to continue parliamentary exchanges to ease tensions between the two countries. However, the Chinese side did not provide a clear answer.