Japan’s top envoy Taro Kono lands in Beijing aiming to improve strained ties
Reciprocal visits by the two nations’ leaders and postponed trilateral summit expected to be on the agenda, along with Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono arrived in Beijing on Saturday – the first visit by a top envoy from the country for nearly two years – as the two sides try to improve strained ties in the year they mark the 40th anniversary of a peace and friendship treaty.
Japan has been hoping to arrange reciprocal visits by the two nations’ leaders, though China is less enthusiastic about the proposal. Kono is likely to bring up the topic during talks on Sunday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, the country’s top diplomat, and a member of its senior leadership.
He is also aiming to promote arrangements with China to hold as soon as possible a postponed trilateral summit involving South Korea, the Japanese foreign ministry said.
The trip is Kono’s first to China as foreign minister and the first by a Japanese foreign minister since his predecessor Fumio Kishida visited in April 2016.
North Korea’s missile and nuclear ambitions are also likely to be on the agenda during the meetings, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe having repeatedly called for China to fully implement UN sanctions imposed on Pyongyang.