Suga, Xi agree on close cooperation in 1st phone dialogue
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga held his first telephone talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping Friday evening. After the conversation, Suga told reporters in front of the prime minister's official residence, "We agreed to continue to cooperate closely on bilateral, regional and international issues at a high level, including between the leaders."
It was the first dialogue between the two countries' leaders in nine months, since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Xi met in Beijing last December. The phone dialogue lasted about 30 minutes, with Xi congratulating Suga on his appointment as prime minister.
According to Suga, Xi said he wanted to "continue to develop relations with Japan," to which Suga responded: "The stability of Japan and China is very important, not only for the two countries but also for the region and the international community. I would like to fulfill the responsibility together."
The two leaders confirmed that they will cooperate on measures against the novel coronavirus, and that the two nations will hold talks for early resumption of the movement of businesspeople between Japan and China, which has been suspended due to the spread of the virus. The prime minister called for cooperation on the issue of the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korea, and the two leaders agreed to continue to collaborate.
There was no specific mention of Xi's visit to Japan. The state visit was scheduled for April this year, but has been postponed due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection.
During the phone conversation, Suga conveyed his concern over the issue of Chinese government ships repeatedly intruding into Japanese territorial waters off the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. He also touched on the situation in Hong Kong and called for "discussions" on the issue.
Earlier in the day, Suga also spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by telephone and confirmed that Japan and India would cooperate in order to realize a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific."
Xi 'willing to develop ties' with Suga
By Kiyota Higa / Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent
BEIJING -- According to China's foreign ministry, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a telephone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga that he would like to "promote and develop" the bilateral relationship between China and Japan and indicated his willingness to build ties with Suga. Xi expressed support for the successful hosting of next year's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. Xi was also quoted as telling Suga that "it is hoped that the two sides will jointly safeguard stable and smooth industrial chains and supply chains." Xi is believed to be hoping to maintain good relations with Japan amid concerns over the escalation of economic friction with the United States.
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