TOKYO: Japan and China successfully utilized a newly established military hotline for the first time on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in their bilateral relations. After years of negotiations, Japanese Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada held a 20-minute call with his Chinese counterpart, Li Shangfu, according to statements released by both countries’ defence ministries.
Japan’s Ministry of Defence stated that during the call, Minister Hamada highlighted the existing security concerns between Japan and China, particularly regarding the situation in the East China Sea. He emphasized the importance of open communication, especially when there are areas of concern in Japan-China relations.
Beijing confirmed the call and expressed its belief that the air and maritime hotline would contribute to maintaining regional peace and stability. The hotline was launched on March 31 as a result of discussions between the two countries to establish a communication channel that would help prevent unexpected clashes in the East China Sea.
The East China Sea has been a source of tension between Japan and China due to a territorial dispute over the islets known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China. Japan has expressed concern over China’s growing military presence in the region and has protested the presence of Chinese vessels near the disputed islets as well as in other areas, including Okinawa.
China, Japan important trading partners
Despite the challenges in their relationship, China and Japan are important trading partners as the world’s second- and third-largest economies, respectively. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
While their ties have been strained, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently expressed his desire for “constructive and stable” relations with China.
Efforts to improve relations have been ongoing, including meetings between Kishida and Chinese President Xi Jinping and a visit by Japan’s foreign minister to Beijing last month, the first such trip since December 2019.
The topic of China’s relationship with the Group of Seven (G7) countries is also in focus this week as Kishida hosts the G7 leaders in Hiroshima. The bloc has raised concerns about China’s “militarization activities” in the South China Sea during their foreign ministers’ meeting in April, setting the stage for discussions at the summit.
The successful use of the defence hotline is seen as a positive step towards enhancing communication and reducing the risk of unintended incidents between Japan and China. Both countries will likely continue their efforts to improve relations and address areas of disagreement in the future.
