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China and Japan should ‘properly handle sensitive issues’, Xi tells Kishida in first phone call
- Leaders also agree to maintain stable ties in talks following new Japanese prime minister’s first policy speech
- Kishida says Tokyo will ‘say what needs to be said’ to Beijing, while Xi says they must ‘not pose threats to each other’
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Beijing urged Tokyo to “properly” manage their differences in the first phone conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and new Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, with the two leaders agreeing to keep ties stable.
Kishida said maintaining stable bilateral relations was important for the region and the international community, but Japan would “say what needs to be said” regarding China’s perceived shortcomings in upholding human rights and the rule of law, according to a Japanese government official.
Xi pointed to the “challenges and opportunities” in the relationship, and also said stable ties between China and Japan would benefit the region, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported.
The two nations should “properly handle major and sensitive issues” such as grievances over the history of World War II and Taiwan, Xi said during the call, according to Xinhua.
“We must fully implement the political consensus of mutual cooperation partners and not pose threats to each other,” he said.
Xi also said the two sides should strengthen exchanges on state governance and economic policy coordination, and work together to maintain a fair and open trade and investment environment.
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