China's Wang tells ex-Japan minister bilateral ties need to be normalized

Beijing, China (Kyodo) -- In a meeting with former Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on Monday, China's top diplomat Wang Yi emphasized the need to normalize bilateral relations, stating that the current situation is dire, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Iwaya is currently in China as part of a delegation from Japan's trade promotion body, aiming to help mend the deteriorating ties between the two nations.

This visit comes amid a month-long diplomatic standoff over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks regarding a Taiwan emergency, with Wang urging Japan to rectify the inaccurate statements and actions of its leader concerning the Taiwan issue. Beijing has dismissed Takaichi's suggestion that Japan would support the United States in a hypothetical attack on Taiwan, citing the island's claimed sovereignty by China.

On the historical front, Wang highlighted the significance of the 80th anniversary of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, which was established to prosecute Japanese war criminals from 1946 to 1948. He stressed that ignoring this history would hinder the prospects for future relations. Beijing has also increased criticism of Japan's defense policies, accusing the country of adopting a "neo-militarism" stance.

The Chinese diplomat expressed optimism that the Japanese trade delegation will uphold the tradition of friendship and encourage Japan to make the right choices. Iwaya acknowledged the current state of Sino-Japanese relations as troubling and pledged to honor Kono's legacy by working towards restoring the relationship. Born in 1950, Kono served as chief Cabinet secretary in 1993 and delivered the government's apology for the use of "comfort women" during World War II, a role he performed in his capacity as the head of the Association for the Promotion of International Trade.

The 50-member delegation, comprising Japanese corporate executives, is exploring opportunities to meet with senior Chinese officials during their four-day stay in Beijing, which ends on Wednesday. Following this visit, the group convened in June 2025, where they engaged in discussions with Premier Li Qiang.