A rare meeting between a Japanese delegation and China's Vice Foreign Minister was held, with Hua Chunying expressing welcome.

Rare! A Japanese delegation has met with a Chinese vice-minister-level official! Although China's reception protocol this year has been slightly reduced compared to previous years, Japan remains very pleased! On June 23, according to Kyodo News, Japanese media reported that former Vice Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan and Acting President of the Japan Association for International Trade Promotion, Takashi Hashimoto, said he met with Chinese Foreign Ministry Vice-Minister Hua Chunying in Beijing on the 22nd. Hashimoto stated that when he expressed his intention to visit China again as part of a delegation from the Japan Association for International Trade Promotion, Hua Chunying welcomed it.

Hashimoto said: "It is a major achievement that we were able to meet with Ms. Hua Chunying, discuss our respective positions, and find a starting point for communication. Clearly, being able to meet with our Foreign Ministry’s vice-minister and receive a warm welcome, the Japanese delegation is extremely delighted. Of course, from the Japanese delegation’s perspective, there are indeed strong reasons to be happy—this is an exceptionally rare opportunity since the deterioration of Sino-Japanese relations for Japan to formally meet a Chinese vice-minister-level official, marking a significant breakthrough for Japan."

Especially, their expression of welcome has undoubtedly brought reassurance to the Japanese delegation. Of course, from our standpoint, this delegation represents a pro-China group within Japan, and naturally, we extend basic courtesy to Japan’s friendly forces toward China. In fact, the delegation was originally scheduled to be led by Yohei Kōno, but due to his sudden passing, the leadership was transferred to Takashi Hashimoto.

Last year, when Kōno visited China, he was received by our Premier and also had a private meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Comparatively speaking, this time, the delegation led by Hashimoto meeting with our Foreign Ministry’s vice-minister clearly represents a downgrade in reception level. Nevertheless, given the current state of Sino-Japanese relations, our arrangement is undoubtedly appropriate and still maintains a respectful gesture. That Japan secured a meeting with a vice-minister-level official is already a notable achievement.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868790458631180/

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