Japan protests China's detention of citizen, maritime action

Japan’s Foreign minister has protested in a meeting with his Chinese counterpart the detention of a Japanese national in Beijing and raised “strong concern” about China’s escalating military activity near Taiwan and around Japan.

Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi protested in a meeting on April 2 with his Chinese counterpart the detention of a Japanese national in Beijing and raised “strong concern" about China's escalating military activity near Taiwan and around Japan.

Mr. Hayashi is making a two-day visit in China, becoming Japan’s first diplomat to make the trip in more than three years as frictions grow between the countries. He was also due to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang and top diplomat Wang Yi later on Sunday.

During his talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, Mr. Hayashi demanded an early release of an employee of the Japanese pharmaceutical company Astellas Pharma, who was detained in Beijing last month over what the Chinese Foreign Ministry described as spying allegations. Neither side has offered further details about the man or the allegations against him.

Mr. Hayashi told reporters he also raised “serious concern” about China's increasingly assertive maritime activity in the East and South China seas, and stressed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Mr. Hayashi said he told Mr. Qin that their countries have the possibility of improved cooperation in economic, cultural and people exchanges, but also face “many problems and serious concerns” and that “Japan-China relations are currently at an extremely important phase”.

The two ministers agreed to work together in achieving “a constructive and stable relationship” as agreed between their leaders in November, Mr. Hayashi said.

The sides agreed to improve communication in regional security, and welcomed the establishment of a defence hotline last week and the resumption of defence talks, Mr. Hayashi said.