Beijing, Tokyo stress key role of healthy, stable relations

China and Japan reiterated their willingness to maintain healthy and stable development of bilateral relations despite recent fluctuations as the two countries’ top diplomats met in New York on Monday.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa that advancing the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between China and Japan is a shared responsibility of both sides.

The diplomats are in New York for the UN Future Summit and the general debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

Wang said China will investigate and handle the isolated case of the fatal stabbing of a Japanese schoolboy in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, in accordance with the law, calling on Japan to view the incident in a calm and rational manner and avoid politicizing and exaggerating the incident.

Wang added that China will continue to ensure the safety of all foreign citizens in China.

The death of a 10-year-old Japanese boy, stabbed while walking to school, has sparked a wave of sadness and indignation in both countries.

Police arrested a 44-year-old man, who was apprehended at the scene of the attack. Shenzhen police said the case was under investigation and initial findings indicated it was an isolated incident.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged ideas on the discharge into the ocean of water contaminated by nuclear radiation from the now-decommissioned Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Wang again expressed China’s opposition to the landfills, saying Beijing’s position was entirely justified.

Japan has agreed to submit to long-term international monitoring agreements and independent sampling and monitoring by relevant countries, including China, so it should honor its commitments without complicating matters, he said.

Kamikawa said Japan attaches great importance to its relations with China and stressed the need for continued dialogue in various fields and at various levels, including negotiations on resolving the nuclear-contaminated water issue and jointly safeguarding regional peace and development.

The important foundation of bilateral relations lies in people-to-people exchanges, Kamikawa said, adding that she hopes China will properly handle the Japanese boy’s case and ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in China.

On Monday, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong held talks in Beijing with Japanese State Foreign Minister Yoshifumi Tsuge on bilateral relations as well as the tragic incident in Shenzhen.

Cai Liang, director of the Northeast Asia Research Center at the Shanghai Institute of International Studies, said the intense discussions between China and Japan on the issue showed that both countries believe high-level communication plays a key role in stabilizing ties and preventing them from deteriorating.

He said it is important to recognize the multifaceted nature of China-Japan relations and that while there are differences, there are also constructive aspects underlying bilateral relations.

“The essence of diplomacy lies in minimizing conflicts and maximizing mutual interests, which makes close and consistent communication very crucial,” he said.

The bilateral agreement on the discharge of water contaminated by nuclear substances, reached last week, represents a pragmatic progress that is in line with the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries last year, he said.

It is indisputable that China’s demands are reasonable and take into consideration the health of its people, Cai said.

Addressing the issue of the release of water contaminated with nuclear substances is considered the first step to address challenges in China-Japan relations and is a positive sign, he added.