China-Japan maritime talks include rebuke for Tokyo on Taiwan

Beijing warns against meddling as Japanese side calls for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait during high-level meeting

While both sides firmly stated their positions, the consultations also yielded progress on a hotline to better resolve maritime disputes

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A J-15 fighter takes off from the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong on the second day of PLA exercises around the island of Taiwan on April 9. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 4:00pm, 11 Apr 2023

China warned Japan not to “meddle” in the Taiwanese issue, while Tokyo reiterated the importance of “peace and stability” in the Taiwan Strait on Monday, during the first face-to-face high-level maritime talks between the two countries since 2019.

Senior Chinese and Japanese officials met in Tokyo on the third day of PLA military drills – including simulated precision strikes – around the self-ruled island, which followed last week’s closely watched meeting between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California.

The 15th round of consultations aimed at resolving tensions between the Asian neighbours in the South and East China seas took place against a backdrop of Japan’s concerns over the military operation occurring so close to its southern islands.

Earlier on Monday, a Japanese government spokesperson said Tokyo was following the drills around Taiwan – which Beijing regards as a renegade province to be brought under mainland control, by force if necessary – consistently and “with great interest”.

China’s state media reported that the foreign ministry delegation, headed by Hong Liang, director general of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs, referred to the issue during the meeting.

“[China] demanded that the Japanese side stop all words and deeds that infringe China’s territorial sovereignty, damage China’s maritime rights and interests … and refrain from meddling in the Taiwan issue,” the foreign ministry said.