Xi administration treats Mr. Iwaya generously, resumes dialogue with friendly groups - China

Following the meeting between former Liberal Democratic Party Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, who visited China as head of a Japan-China friendship group, and Vice Premier He Lifeng, the Japanese government plans to carefully explore ways to improve relations. Regarding China's ``hospitality,'' there are mixed views, with some seeing it as a ``good sign'' and others seeing it as a threat to the Takaichi administration, and we will be watching closely to see what happens next.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said at a press conference on the 30th, ``This is the movement of private economic organizations.I will refrain from commenting on each point.'' He added, ``Multi-layered communication is important precisely because there are pending issues and differences of opinion.''

Mr. Iwaya, who is the chairman of the Japan Association for the Promotion of International Trade, met with Communist Party Politburo member and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the 28th in Beijing, and with Mr. He on the 29th. Wang pointed out the need for "normalization" of Sino-Japanese relations.

Mr. Wang and Liang are members of the Politburo, which is made up of more than 20 people in the top ranks of the Chinese Communist Party. Mr. He will be in charge of economic policy, and Mr. Wang will be in charge of foreign affairs. Japan has held numerous meetings with Chinese leaders to promote trade, but a pro-China Liberal Democratic Party veteran hailed it as ``unprecedented treatment.''

China strongly objected to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's parliamentary response in November last year regarding the Taiwan emergency situation. Since then, Japan-China relations have remained in a difficult situation. Regarding China's recent response, a senior government official said, "It's gradually getting better." A senior Foreign Ministry official said, ``They probably want to maintain economic ties.''

Japan also has high hopes for improved relations with China, including in terms of securing supplies of important minerals. Based on this, the government will seek dialogue between the prime minister and President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in China in November.

China has called for a ``withdrawal'' of the prime minister's response to the Taiwan emergency situation. This time, Mr. Wang used the expression "correction." The Japanese government is looking to see if there has been a change in attitude.

However, Iwaya, who served as foreign minister in the previous Ishiba administration, maintains a certain distance from the Takaichi administration. A government official pointed out, ``China may be trying to divide the country.'' Some people sense that there is an intention to judge or check Japan's performance before APEC.

Mr. Iwaya visited China solely in his capacity as the chairman of the country's trade promotion committee. A senior Foreign Ministry official said, ``The two governments have not approached this.''