Wang Yi's Japan visit aims to deepen bilateral ties
By Zhou Wenxing
CGTN
1606388102000

Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (2nd L) meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (1st R) in Tokyo, Japan, November 24, 2020. (Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry)

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi just ended his two-day visit to Japan (November 24-25) at the invitation of Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. Wang's visit marks the first high-level visit since Yoshihide Suga was elected prime minister in September.

This trip came as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage across the world. Wang had candid and in-depth exchanges about bilateral, regional and international issues with Motegi, and the two reached a wide range of important consensuses. Here are three most important achievements:

First, both countries have agreed to continue to jointly fight against the coronavirus and make contribute to regional and international public health cooperation. It should be noted that the Japanese government and enterprises donated medical supplies to China during the early days of the outbreak, to which both the Chinese government and citizens have expressed gratitude.

China now has successfully controlled the pandemic while Japan is still witnessing a steady climb in cases. China could share its anti-pandemic experience and increase cooperation with Japan, especially as Tokyo is tasked with hosting the Olympics next summer after being postponed by a year because of the pandemic.

Cooperation to combat the pandemic would be a great opportunity for the two countries which have agreed to support each other in hosting the Games, an act that will promote ties between the two governments and people.

Second, both sides have agreed to work together to promote economic recovery as the global economy reels from the biggest shock since World War II.

The consensus between China and Japan to hold high-level economic dialogue and launch a "fast track" for necessary personnel exchanges, among other measures, sends a clear message to the world community that the cooperation between the world's second- and third-largest economies helps bolster confidence and promote economic growth amid COVID-19.

This is significant at a time when the Trump administration is busy building tariff walls. Meanwhile China and Japan are building bridges.

People walk down the street amid the coronavirus outbreak, Tokyo, Japan, July 16, 2020. (Photo: Reuters)

China is now Japan's largest trading partner and the two countries have become more economically interdependent over the past decades, and their economic cooperation will benefit from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Wang's visit also paves a solid foundation for China's participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which was originally proposed by the U.S. to contain China.

Japan's role as the chair of this group next year, and Suga's recent decision to expand the pact as well as China's announcement of "favorably considering" joining it all make it possible for the two countries to have dialogue and cooperation in near future.

Most importantly, China and Japan have agreed to build their bilateral relations as "cooperation partners of strategic and mutual benefit" under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Suga, who have agreed to closely cooperate for the further development of bilateral ties.

Japan has been persistently seeking a great power status particularly following its economic take-off soon after the end of World War II. However, rarely did previous Japanese leaders make their foreign policy in accordance with the national interest. In the past years, the leadership of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has allied Japan with the Trump administration to contain China.

There are ample reasons for Japan to change course. For Suga, this is a chance to dismiss speculation that his cabinet is a "continuation of the Abe cabinet." His recent inauguration provides an excellent opportunity to usher in a new era for China-Japan relations. This is also a chance for Japan to craft an independent foreign policy and take a substantial step toward becoming a great power.

Wang has already offered an olive branch, and the ball is in Japan's court now. Japan should pursue its foreign policy based on the accurate assessment of its own interests. It is high time the Japanese government takes this opportunity to improve relations with China.