Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi expressed grave concern in telephone talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi over repeated intrusions by Chinese coast guard vessels into Japan's territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
The call took place on Monday and lasted for about 1-1/2 hours. Motegi also told Wang during their conversation that Japan has serious concerns over the enforcement of China's coast guard legislation that established conditions for Chinese coast guard ships to use weapons. The Japan foreign minister called on China to take action to improve the situation.
In addition, Motegi brought up China's suppression of human rights in Hong Kong and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and strongly demanded concrete action.
According to a source related to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Wang reiterated China's position on these issues, and the talks ended without any progress.
Regarding the situation in Myanmar, Motegi and Wang agreed that the unity of the international community is important to stop Myanmar's violence against demonstrators and secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. They also confirmed the importance of united efforts by their two nations toward Pyongyang's denuclearization and that they would fully implement the U.N. Security Council's resolutions over North Korea.
Motegi asked Wang for cooperation in resolving the issue of abduction of Japanese nationals to North Korea, and Wang expressed his support.
The two foreign ministers agreed that both nations will promote the exchange of opinions on coronavirus countermeasures and climate change.
The telephone conversation was held at the request of the Chinese side. They were the first talks between Motegi and Wang since November last year.
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