Japanese Cross-Party Lawmakers Visit China for Talks
Bastillepost · 3 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
A cross-party delegation of Japanese lawmakers arrived in Beijing on August 24 for a four-day visit, marking the first visit by a Japanese parliamentary group since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan helped worsen China-Japan relations.
The delegation included Gaku Hashimoto of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Shinichi Isa of the opposition Chudo Kaikaku Rengo, and Yudai Kawamura of Komeito, and it sought meetings with officials from the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
On August 27, the group met Lu Kang, vice minister of the CPC International Department, who said history and Taiwan are core principle issues affecting the political foundation of bilateral ties.
Japanese side leader Shinichi Isa said Tokyo was deeply concerned by the current difficulties in bilateral relations and hoped to maintain communication with Beijing to help improve ties.
Key Points
- The delegation began its Beijing trip on August 24 and planned a four-day programme, the first Japanese lawmakers' visit since Takaichi's "Taiwan contingency" remarks.
- Members were Gaku Hashimoto of the Liberal Democratic Party, Shinichi Isa of Chudo Kaikaku Rengo, and Komeito upper house lawmaker Yudai Kawamura.
- Lu Kang told the visitors on August 27 that history and Taiwan concern the political basis of ties and basic mutual trust.
- According to Bloomberg as cited by Bastille Post, the meeting lasted about two hours, longer than planned, and included heated exchanges.
- The lawmakers also met officials from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, toured robotics and autonomous-driving facilities in Beijing E-Town, and planned to visit Xiong'an New Area.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the visit offers a gauge of whether Beijing and Tokyo can keep political channels open even as disputes over Taiwan and security deepen.
That matters because China and Japan remain major trading partners, and the reports say trade frictions and Chinese export controls on Japanese dual-use goods have also intensified.