Seoul: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed their desire to build constructive and stable relations between their two countries during their first meeting in South Korea on Friday. Takaichi stated that Japan and China share a responsibility for regional peace and prosperity. Despite existing issues and challenges, she hoped both sides could ease tensions and increase dialogue and cooperation.
According to Thai News Agency, Chinese state media reported that President Xi expressed his readiness to maintain communication with Takaichi to advance China-Japan relations in the right direction. Takaichi, who recently became Japan's first female prime minister, is known for her conservative stance, raising concerns about potential strain in Japan-China relations. Her current agenda includes pushing for Japan's most significant military buildup since World War II, aimed at deterring China's influence in East Asia.
China, which perceives the US-Japan alliance as a threat to its regional interests, has urged Takaichi to focus on improving ties between the two nations.