Ethics

Report: China, Japan to Discuss Resuming Ruling Party Talks

MAY 22 2024·Updated MAY 24 2024

Story

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The Facts

The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) Liu Jianchao is expected to meet with leaders from Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner Komeito to discuss resuming regular consultative talks between ruling parties after six years.
Reuters
Japanese media outlet NHK, which broke the news earlier, added that preparations are underway for the gathering to take place next week.
NHK
According to previous reports, the head of international liaison for the CCP was considering a visit to Japan as early as Monday to meet with ruling and opposition lawmakers — and possibly Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.
The Mainichi
This visit comes as South Korea confirmed on Thursday that its president, Yoon Suk Yeol, will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday in Seoul for the first trilateral summit since 2019.
Kyodo News+
The three leaders are expected to discuss cooperation on personnel exchanges, climate change, trade, health and aging, technology, disaster management, and regional and international issues.
ap
Ahead of the summit, however, Tokyo has lodged a protest with Beijing against the Chinese ambassador to Japan after the envoy appeared to insinuate that the country would be dragged into any conflict over Taiwan.
The Japan Times

Sources Split

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The Spin

Pro-China narrative

Day after day, Beijing indicates its desire to stabilize and improve bilateral relations even though Japan insists on supporting US malicious efforts to counter China, and this potential visit is no exception. High-level exchanges — either government-to-government or party-to-party — are key to boosting mutual trust and cooperation.

Global Times

Anti-China narrative

It's a matter of fact that Japan must pragmatically maintain a close dialogue with China due to the pressing need to restore regional stability, so resuming consultative talks is good news. However, even the traditionally China-friendly junior coalition party Komeito has now realized that hegemonic moves from Beijing are to blame for disputes in the Asia-Pacific.