Chinese Foreign Minister ``Prime Minister Takaichi will resolve the issue'' Taiwan response issue communicated to Mr. Iwaya - No response to 1972 joint statement ``reaffirmation''

Former Liberal Democratic Party Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, who visited China in September, gave an interview to Jiji Press on the 7th. In a meeting with Communist Party Politburo member and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, he confirmed the need to improve Japan-China relations, but Wang revealed that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on the Taiwan crisis, which had caused the deterioration of relations, had insisted that ``Japan's leaders should resolve the issue.''

According to Iwaya, he explained to Wang regarding the Taiwanese statement, ``The Prime Minister's additional answers have made it clear that the government's policy has not changed.'' He said that revocation would pose "very high political hurdles," and proposed that the two governments reaffirm the intent of the 1972 Japan-China Joint Statement, thereby making it a "de facto revocation."

However, Wang did not respond, saying, ``An ambiguous approach is not a good idea.There is a saying in China that says, ``The person who causes the problem should be the one who solves the problem.''

Mr. Iwaya also brought up China's criticism of Japan's efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities, calling it a "new type of militarism," and requested that China refrain from doing so.

Although Mr. Wang said, ``We need to improve relations,'' Mr. Iwaya said in an interview, ``I feel that the view of the Takaichi administration continues to be very harsh.''

On the other hand, Deputy Prime Minister He Lifeng responded to Mr. Iwaya's request for proper export control of rare earths and other important minerals to Japan, saying, ``If it is for military use, we will restrict it, but if it is for civilian use, it is fine.We are looking for a better control method.'' It is said that he expressed a strong desire to promote Japan-China economic cooperation.

Mr. Iwaya visited China from September 27th to 30th as the chairman of the Japan International Trade Promotion Association (National Trade Promotion Association). He held separate talks with Wang and He Liang in Beijing.

There is a view that this kind of "courtesy" is aimed at dividing Japan. Mr. Iwaya emphasized the significance of his visit to China, saying, ``I think there are various factors involved, but it is true that the Chinese side believes it is necessary to have dialogue with someone (on the Japanese side). First, it is important for someone to talk to them and convey to them that there are people on the Japanese side who strongly believe that relations should be improved.''