China and Japan Agree to Establish Defense Authorities Hotline and Hold Security Dialogue

Senkaku Islands (Chinese name Diaoyudao)
Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Chinese and Japanese governments have agreed to the early establishment of a hotline between defense authorities and the holding of a 'security dialogue,' Kyodo News and others reported on the 23rd.

The two countries held an online meeting of working-level officials from relevant ministries to discuss maritime issues such as the South and East China Seas the day before.

At this meeting, they agreed to coordinate the early operation of a hotline between senior defense officials to prevent accidental clashes between the Self-Defense Forces and the Chinese military. Additionally, they decided to specifically coordinate the holding of a 'security dialogue' involving senior diplomatic and security officials from both countries.

The Japanese side demanded the immediate cessation of repeated intrusions by Chinese Coast Guard vessels into their territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands (Chinese name Diaoyu Islands). China and Japan both claim sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands, which Japan effectively controls.

The Chinese side urged Japan to respect territorial sovereignty and security concerns regarding the Senkaku issue, emphasizing that all acts infringing on China's sovereignty and actions complicating the situation must stop to avoid affecting maritime stability. They also expressed concern over Japan's plan to discharge contaminated water into the ocean and called for careful handling of this issue.

China further stated that it "expressed strong dissatisfaction with Japan's negative remarks on the Taiwan issue and emphasized that the Taiwan issue relates to the political foundation and basic trust of bilateral relations," demanding appropriate handling of the Taiwan issue.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.