SEOUL: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida demanded that Beijing immediately lift a ban on imports of Japanese fisheries products during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Seoul Sunday.

China imposed the ban in August last year after Japan’s crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant started discharging treated water, which includes small amounts of radioactive tritium, into the ocean.

Beijing criticizes the water release. Kishida and Li agreed to accelerate working-level talks on the matter.

Kishida, referring to China’s recent military exercises near Taiwan, told Li that Japan is closely watching the situation. Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is extremely important, Kishida said.

The two leaders agreed that Japan and China will promote their mutually beneficial strategic relationship comprehensively and resolve pending issues on the basis of constructive and stable relations.

At the outset of the meeting, Kishida told Li that stabilizing Japan-China relations is beneficial to the region and international community. Li said he wants Japan and China to make efforts to manage differences and build constructive and stable relations.

Kishida expressed serious concerns about Chinese military activities near Japan and demanded China immediately remove buoys set up in Japan’s exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea.

The Japanese leader called on China to play an important role in addressing North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.

He also requested that Beijing release Japanese nationals detained in China as soon as possible and resume short-term visa exemptions for Japanese nationals.

The two leaders agreed to secure a business environment that guarantees legitimate corporate activities. Kishida proposed Japan and China expand cooperation through cabinet-level economic dialogue.

JIJI Press