According to Archyde.com, Japan’s foreign minister has urged China to release detained nationals. Lin Fangzheng met with Qin Gang, marking the first visit to Beijing by a Japanese foreign minister in over three years as both countries strive to find common ground amidst heightened regional tensions. An Astellas Pharmaceuticals employee was detained in China for unknown reasons, along with at least 16 other Japanese nationals on suspicion of espionage since 2015 according to Kyodo News. Lin Fangzheng protested the recent detention, emphasizing Japan’s position on the matter including the early release of the national. Japan seeks laws on detention transparency of procedures and a fair and safe business environment, though Beijing’s response was not elaborated. Additionally, Japan expressed concerns regarding Chinese military activity and China’s maritime presence in the East China Sea. Both countries confirmed the importance of continuing dialogue on issues such as national security. However, Qin Gang warned Japan not to interfere with the Taiwan issue or damage China’s sovereignty as Taiwan was “the core of China’s core interests”. Furthermore, Japan’s export restrictions on semiconductor manufacturing equipment drew a warning from Qin Gang not to associate with “bad guys”, but Lin Fangzheng stated that the restrictions were not aimed at any particular country.
Japan’s foreign minister has urged China to release detained nationals, Archyde.com reported today. Lin Fangzheng’s meeting with Qin Gang was the first visit to Beijing by a Japanese foreign minister in more than three years, as China and Japan seek common ground amid heightened regional tensions.
An employee of Astellas Pharmaceuticals was detained in China for unknown reasons, a Japanese company spokesman said a week ago. At least 16 other Japanese have been detained in China since 2015 on suspicion of espionage, Kyodo News reported.
Lin Fangzheng reported, “I protested the recent detention of a Japanese national in Beijing and emphasized our position on the matter, including the early release of this national.” Lin Fangzheng said Japan was seeking laws on the detention Transparency of procedures and require China to ensure a fair and safe business environment. He did not elaborate on China’s response.
Japan’s foreign minister said he conveyed Tokyo’s serious concerns over increased Chinese military activity, including China’s close relationship with Russia and China’s maritime presence in the East China Sea. Lin Fangzheng said, “We have all confirmed the importance of continuing dialogue on issues such as national security.”
Lin Fangzheng said he talked with Qin Gang regarding “the importance of ensuring peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.” Qin Gang warned Japan “not to interfere in any form with the Taiwan issue or damage China’s sovereignty,” Beijing said, emphasizing that Taiwan was “the core of China’s core interests.”
Qin Gang warned Japan today to “not associate with bad guys” following Tokyo followed the United States in announcing export restrictions on semiconductor manufacturing equipment on Friday. But Lin Fangzheng told reporters the restrictions were “not targeting any particular country”.
In conclusion, the meeting between Japan’s foreign minister, Lin Fangzheng, and his Chinese counterpart, Qin Gang, touched upon several sensitive issues, including the recent detention of a Japanese national in Beijing and the increased military activity in the region. Lin Fangzheng urged China to release the detained nationals and emphasized the importance of a fair and safe business environment. Both sides acknowledged the importance of continuing dialogue on issues of mutual interest, particularly related to national security. As tensions continue to simmer in the region, it remains to be seen how these talks will shape the future course of relations between China and Japan.
