Japan talks: China’s Qin Gang urges open tech ties, Taiwan caution in meeting with country’s top diplomat

Name: Nato chief says China ‘learning lessons’ from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Uploaded: 2023-02-02T21:29:20.000Z
Duration: 2 min 44 s
Description: Nato chief says China ‘learning lessons’ from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Phone conversation comes days after Tokyo and the Netherlands agreed to join US-led curbs on hi-tech exports to China

Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed Japan’s concerns over ‘peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait’ as well as China’s increased military activities

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Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (pictured) and his Japanese counterpart, Yoshimasa Hayashi, spoke for about 50 minutes on Thursday night. Photo: AFP

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Published: 5:29am, 3 Feb 2023Updated: 6:06am, 3 Feb 2023

China has appealed to Japan to defend free and open bilateral tech ties, a request that comes after Japan and the Netherlands agreed to join in US restrictions on exporting chip-making equipment to China.

Beijing also urged Tokyo to be cautious regarding Taiwan, as Japan and Western countries have strengthened security ties amid growing tensions across the strait.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and his Japanese counterpart, Yoshimasa Hayashi, spoke by phone for about 50 minutes on Thursday night, their first talks since Qin, a former ambassador to Washington, took up the post in December, according to statements from Beijing and Tokyo.

Qin called on Japan to “continue to uphold market principles and the spirit of freedom and openness to carry out economic, trade, scientific and technological cooperation with China” for safeguarding international trade rules and its own long-term interests, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

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Nato chief says China ‘learning lessons’ from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

“The two sides should adhere to strategic autonomy and jointly develop and build Asia,” Qin was quoted as saying.