China, Japan voice concerns during first security talks in 4 years

Chinese foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong takes aim at Tokyo’s new defence policy, saying ‘we are seeing the return of a Cold War mentality’

His Japanese counterpart Shigeo Yamada raises the issues of suspected Chinese spy balloons and intensifying military activities

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Japanese deputy foreign minister Shigeo Yamada (second right) speaks to his Chinese counterpart Sun Weidong (second left) during the security dialogue in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Published: 7:50pm, 22 Feb 2023

China and Japan are holding security talks for the first time in four years in a bid to ease tensions, with Tokyo raising the issue of suspected Chinese spy balloons in its airspace and Beijing taking aim at the new Japanese defence policy.

At the start of the two-day dialogue in Tokyo on Wednesday, Sun Weidong, China’s foreign vice-minister, expressed concern over “Japan’s release of its new defence and security documents” in December.

“The international security situation has undergone vast changes and we are seeing the return of unilateralism, protectionism and a Cold War mentality,” Sun told his Japanese counterpart Shigeo Yamada.

Sun Weidong raised concern over Japan’s new defence and security documents. Photo: Reuters

It was the first meeting between officials from the two nations since Japan last week said at least three unidentified flying objects that flew over its airspace from 2019 to 2021 were “strongly suspected” to have been Chinese unmanned spy balloons.

Yamada voiced concern over the balloons, as well as Beijing’s intensifying military activities such as drills in cooperation with Russia, Kyodo News reported.

Japan’s foreign ministry said Yamada also called on China to take a “responsible role” in ensuring peace and security in Ukraine.

Ahead of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Friday, Tokyo “strongly demanded” that Beijing uphold peace and stability of the international community, the Japanese ministry said.

The security talks come amid concern in Tokyo that Beijing will resort to force to take control of Taiwan in the wake of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, sparking a conflict that could embroil Japan and disrupt global trade.

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