Japan-China Delegations Strive to Enhance Relations

Japanese ruling coalition officials, led by Hiroshi Moriyama of the Liberal Democratic Party and Makoto Nishida of Komeito, visited China to improve strained bilateral ties. They met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other senior officials to discuss various issues, including the resumption of Japanese seafood imports banned after Fukushima's radioactive water release and the safety of Japanese citizens in China. The visit marked the first Japan-China Ruling Party Exchange Council meeting since 2018, reflecting efforts to stabilize relations amid territorial disputes and North Korea's missile activities. Concurrently, a Chinese military delegation visited Japan to foster mutual understanding and trust. Both countries aim to enhance dialogue across political and defense sectors, potentially paving the way for future high-level exchanges. Additionally, a letter from Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to Chinese President Xi Jinping was delivered, expressing hopes for deepening bilateral ties.