Former Foreign Minister Iwaya visits China and meets with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, demanding correction of incorrect statements on Taiwan issue

[Beijing Current Affairs] On the 28th, former Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, who heads the delegation visiting China as chairman of the Japan Association for the Promotion of International Trade, met with Communist Party Politburo member and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on the 28th. According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Wang, bearing in mind Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's parliamentary response regarding the Taiwan crisis in November last year, called on the Japanese side to ``immediately correct the erroneous statements made by Japan's leaders on the Taiwan issue.'' Mr. Iwaya reportedly expressed his intention to work towards promoting economic exchange and improving Japan-China relations.

Former Foreign Minister Iwaya meets with Chinese Foreign Minister, Hong Kong media report

This is the first official meeting between Wang, who serves as China's top diplomat, and a Japanese politician since relations soured following the parliamentary statement. The Chinese side appears to have an intention to keep the Takaichi administration in check by meeting with Mr. Iwaya, who emphasizes relations with China.

At the meeting, Wang pointed out that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (Tokyo Tribunal), and said, ``If we cannot take the right attitude on historical issues, we will not be able to face and navigate the future.'' Regarding the current Japan-China relations, he emphasized, ``We are in a difficult situation. We need to normalize.''