Japan Foreign Minister to visit China amid friction over detained Japanese
The Hindu
Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi will visit China this weekend for talks with his counterpart Qin Gang over the detention of a Japanese national in Beijing
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Friday that he will visit China this weekend for talks with his counterpart Qin Gang, becoming Japan's first top diplomat to do so in more than three years amid growing frictions between the two countries, including a recent flap over the detention of a Japanese national in Beijing.
Hayashi hopes to “engage in a candid and in-depth exchange of views toward establishing a constructive and stable relationship” at his planned talks with Qin and other officials during his April 1-2 visit, he told a news conference.
He is expected to demand the release of the detained Japanese national, discuss security concerns in the region and ask China to act “responsibly” on global issues including Russia's war on Ukraine.
Hayashi noted an agreement between the leaders of the two countries to build constructive and stable relations but said “Japan-China relations are facing many challenges and concerns, although there are various possibilities (for cooperation).”
Despite close economic and business ties between the two Asian powers, Tokyo and Beijing have been increasingly at odds in recent years as Japan considers China’s growing influence in the region as a threat to its national security and the economy.
“I believe it is important to build a constructive and stable relationship while we insist on our position on some issues, seek (China's) responsible actions and continue our dialogue,” Hayashi added. His predecessor Toshimitsu Motegi's December 2019 visit to China was the last such trip made by a top Japanese diplomat.
The latest friction between the two sides is over China's detention of an employee of the Japanese pharmaceutical company Astellas Pharma earlier this month on suspicion of spying. Japan's government has demanded his release and an explanation.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla emphasizes the importance of Question Hour over meetings and urges decorum during obituary references.
Karnataka approves 300-bed Puttur Government Medical College Hospital project, enhancing healthcare in the coastal region.
Explore the court challenge to MGR's Andipatti election, focusing on the legality of his oath-taking process.
Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Wednesday instructed forest department officials to ensure maintenance of elephant trenches and hanging solar fences, which have been installed in Kodagu district to control human-elephant conflict.
Humayun Kabir's Aam Janata Unnayan Party will contest 182 seats, challenging Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur with a Muslim candidate.
Justice Swaminathan adjourns contempt hearing until April 9, expressing frustration over manipulation in the Thirupparankundram case.
Hyderabad's LGBTQIA+ community protests against the Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, advocating for trans rights and human dignity.
Sharmila criticizes Avinash Reddy's remarks on Viveka’s murder, calling Jagan a disgrace and questioning his leadership and support.
All the three major political fronts appear to be drowned in indecision when it comes to officially declaring their candidates for the prestigious Thiruvananthapuram Assembly constituency.
BJP protests for MCC council elections, claiming mismanagement and corruption, threatens to escalate protests if demands are unmet.
Hyderabad Collector assures no LPG shortage, urges residents to avoid panic booking and trust available supplies.
Telangana to soon set up nodal agency for flood plain zoning: Irrigation Minister
Patronage on Chennai's MRTS doubles post-extension to St. Thomas Mount, despite complaints about missing amenities at Puzhithivakkam station.