Apec 2023: China, Japan leaders pledge to ‘coexist peacefully’, manage differences in first meeting in a year
- Xi Jinping tells Fumio Kishida both sides should ‘properly handle differences’
- Complexity of relations between the two countries ‘far exceeds’ that of US-China ties, analyst says
After the 65-minute summit with Xi, Kishida told reporters: “We agreed on where we are heading. That is to build constructive and stable relations.”
Their talks on Friday morning, on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in San Francisco, occurred a day after Xi and US President Joe Biden held a much-anticipated meeting to stabilise their increasingly volatile ties. It was part of the Chinese leader’s charm offensive to shore up relations with Indo-Pacific leaders and counter the US-led efforts to encircle Beijing.
Observers said Xi’s meeting with Kishida was important for both countries, and for regional stability since Beijing’s relations with Tokyo were “even more complex” than the deeply strained China-US ties.
In opening remarks, Xi said both countries should “properly handle differences” and reaffirm their strategic ties, while Kishida said they should work together and “coexist and prosper as neighbours”, despite their differences.