China Said to Approve Japan’s Chongqing Consul-General Pick
On.cc · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago1 MIN
Summary
Japanese media reported on Wednesday that China has agreed to Japan’s nominee for consul-general in Chongqing, bringing an end to an unusually long vacancy in the post. The reports said Japanese diplomat Shigehiro Nishiumi took office on August 4 after approval was granted in the form of acting consul-general.
Key Points
- The Chongqing consul-general position had been vacant since December last year, when then consul-general Mari Takada was transferred to become consul-general in Shenyang
- During the eight-month gap, the chief consul at Japan’s Consulate-General in Chongqing had been serving as acting head of mission.
- On.cc reported Nishiumi had previously served as chief consul at Japan’s Consulate-General in Hong Kong before his latest posting to Chongqing
- According to sources cited by Japanese media, China approved Nishiumi’s arrival this month under the title of acting consul-general, and he assumed office last Tuesday, August 4
- Earlier, China’s Foreign Ministry had said it was handling the matter according to procedure, while reports linked the delay to worsening China-Japan relations
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, Nishiumi’s earlier posting in the city adds a local angle to a diplomatic appointment that had been delayed for months. The end of the vacancy may also be read as a modest easing in a bilateral personnel issue after a period of strained China-Japan ties.