Beijing aims to head off criticism from Tokyo over activities in disputed waters, observers say
China doesn’t want issue to derail upcoming visit by Japanese envoy, they say
Beijing is expected to ask Tokyo to hold off criticising China’s activities in disputed waters during Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida’s upcoming visit, observers say.
Kishida is due to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing on Saturday. They are expected to discuss the possibility of a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Japanese media reported.
China’s presence in the South China and East China seas has drawn the concern of the G7, which issued a statement in Hiroshima earlier this month.
The group said it opposed “any intimidating, coercive or provocative unilateral actions that could alter the status quo and increase tensions” in regional waters.
Beijing made a strong rebuke, saying the forum had been taken hostage and deviated from its purpose.
G7 forum held hostage over South China Sea: Beijing
“Beijing will properly ask Japan to refrain from criticising China over both the East and South China seas in the coming G7-related meetings,” said Lian Degui, a professor of Japanese studies at the Shanghai International Studies University. He added that Tokyo would ask Beijing to reduce its activities in both areas.
[Japanese envoy Fumio] Kishida will likely be asking China to halt construction in the South China Sea