Tokyo: JapanThe foreign minister on Wednesday urged Beijing to “play a responsible role” Russiaattack of Ukraine In his first talks with his Chinese counterpart in six months.
Japan has joined Western allies over tough sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis, while Beijing has refused to condemn Moscow’s invasion.
Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told his Chinese counterpart wang yi Japan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that Russia’s aggression was “a clear violation of the United Nations Charter and other international laws.”
“He urged China to play a responsible role in maintaining international peace and security,” he said.
According to Japan’s foreign ministry, the talks are the first between the two foreign ministers since November, as concerns are rising about geopolitical tensions.
China and Russia are believed to be increasing coordination, with Beijing categorically refusing to join the outcry over Moscow’s invasion, although it has pledged not to bypass sanctions on the war.
Negotiations come as US President Joe Biden It is set to arrive in Japan this week after a stop in Seoul.
He will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and participate in a meeting of the Quad Grouping which includes Australia and India.
The group has been seen as intent on putting pressure on China as it increases its economic and military weight in the region.
Japan views Beijing’s growing military prowess with concern, and Hayashi in talks with Wang raised issues between the countries, including disputed islands and the status of the East and South China Seas.
But China is also Tokyo’s biggest trading partner and Japan wants to avoid getting into disputes between Beijing and Washington.
Hayashi said that both China and Japan should “say what needs to be said and engage in dialogue”, warning that bilateral relations “face various difficulties and public opinion in Japan is extremely critical of China”. is.”
Japan has joined Western allies over tough sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis, while Beijing has refused to condemn Moscow’s invasion.
Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told his Chinese counterpart wang yi Japan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that Russia’s aggression was “a clear violation of the United Nations Charter and other international laws.”
“He urged China to play a responsible role in maintaining international peace and security,” he said.
According to Japan’s foreign ministry, the talks are the first between the two foreign ministers since November, as concerns are rising about geopolitical tensions.
China and Russia are believed to be increasing coordination, with Beijing categorically refusing to join the outcry over Moscow’s invasion, although it has pledged not to bypass sanctions on the war.
Negotiations come as US President Joe Biden It is set to arrive in Japan this week after a stop in Seoul.
He will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and participate in a meeting of the Quad Grouping which includes Australia and India.
The group has been seen as intent on putting pressure on China as it increases its economic and military weight in the region.
Japan views Beijing’s growing military prowess with concern, and Hayashi in talks with Wang raised issues between the countries, including disputed islands and the status of the East and South China Seas.
But China is also Tokyo’s biggest trading partner and Japan wants to avoid getting into disputes between Beijing and Washington.
Hayashi said that both China and Japan should “say what needs to be said and engage in dialogue”, warning that bilateral relations “face various difficulties and public opinion in Japan is extremely critical of China”. is.”