TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, remained apart on Thursday over the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands and human rights issues.

In his first telephone talks with Wang since he took office earlier this month, Hayashi expressed “grave concerns” over repeated intrusions by Chinese government ships into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkakus in Okinawa Prefecture, southernmost Japan. China claims the uninhabited islands, which it calls Diaoyu.

Hayashi also expressed serious concerns about the situations in the East and South China seas and human rights issues regarding Hong Kong and the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.

In addition, he pointed to the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Wang expressed China’s unchanged stance on these matters, according to the Japanese side.

In the talks, Hayashi stressed the Japanese government’s plan to emphasize dialogue and discussions with China.

On the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China next year, Hayashi called for the establishment of a “constructive and stable Japan-China relationship.” Wang agreed to the proposal.

They did not take up a visit to Japan by Chinese President Xi Jinping as a state guest, which has been postponed, sources with access to the talks said.

Hayashi asked for China’s understanding and support to immediately resolve the issue of North Korea’s abductions of Japanese nationals decades ago. The Japanese and Chinese foreign ministers agreed to cooperate closely on the issue.

They also exchanged views on international situations, including climate change and other issues concerning North Korea.

Ahead of his talks with Wang, Hayashi had a telephone conversation with his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian.

The two foreign ministers confirmed that their countries will strengthen ties in the Indo-Pacific region.

JIJI Press