‘Strait stability is important,’ Kishida tells China’s Li

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized the importance of stability across the Taiwan Strait, while Chinese Premier Li Qiang (李強) reiterated that Taiwan issues are “a red line” for China.

Kishida and Li traveled to Seoul for the first China-Japan-South Korea trilateral summit since 2019.

During his meeting with Li, Kishida stressed that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are crucial to the international community, including Japan. He stated, “Japan is closely monitoring developments across the Taiwan Strait, including the recent military situation.”

According to Sankei Shimbun, Kishida was referring to the “Joint Sword-2024A” military exercise Beijing conducted around Taiwan on Thursday and Friday last week.

Kishida also expressed “serious concerns” about China’s increased military activities around Japan, including the Senkaku Islands and the East China Sea. He called for the immediate removal of buoys that China set up within Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

Li responded that issues regarding Taiwan and history are “matters of principle related to China’s core interests and also matters of faith,” as reported by Kyodo News. “In particular, the Taiwan issue is the core of China’s core interests and is a red line,” Li said, which Kyodo News interpreted as an attempt to “keep Japan in check.”

Kishida reiterated that Japan’s position regarding Taiwan remains unchanged, as outlined in the 1972 Japan-China Joint Communique, and that Japan would continue unofficial exchanges with Taiwan. The document states that Japan would sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan but would deepen non-governmental practical cooperation, mainly in the economic field, according to Kyodo News.