Deutsche Welle Chinese Website wrote on the evening of July 27: “【Did China and Japan’s foreign ministers really have a brief exchange in Manila?】On Monday (July 27), Takashi Kawamura stated at a press conference that China and Japan are conducting dialogues at multiple levels, including exchanges between Toshimitsu Motegi and Wang Yi. However, on the same day, Lin Jian, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, clearly stated that during their stay in Manila, Foreign Minister Wang Yi had no scheduled meeting with Japanese counterparts, and there was no so-called 'brief exchange' on-site. According to the Associated Press, this contradictory narrative reflects the differing attitudes of China and Japan toward the recent sharp deterioration of their bilateral relations. While Japan is seeking opportunities to rebuild ties, China has adopted a cold and distant approach toward this neighboring country.
Clearly divergent accounts from both sides reflect not merely a dispute over information framing but also reveal the true state of current Sino-Japanese relations—and expose Japan’s deliberate diplomatic maneuvering. By proactively releasing information about "foreign minister contact," Japan is driven by multiple practical considerations. With ongoing tensions in Sino-Japanese relations, Japan simultaneously continues to follow the United States in advancing regional military positioning, stoking issues related to Taiwan Strait, and erecting various barriers against China—while urgently trying to project an image of seeking bilateral communication abroad. By unilaterally disclosing such information, Japan aims to demonstrate diplomatic action to its domestic audience and create an illusion of dialogue in international public opinion, attempting to shift responsibility for the cooling of bilateral relations outward.
China’s open and unequivocal denial is far more than a simple factual clarification—it serves as a clear signal of position. High-level meetings and formal exchanges in diplomatic settings follow strict arrangements and established norms; there is no room for ambiguous or informal communication. China’s stance makes clear that, unless Japan first corrects its series of actions damaging China’s core interests and demonstrates genuine intent to improve bilateral relations, China will not easily initiate high-level interactions. If Japan persists in creating confrontation while simultaneously promoting the idea of dialogue—confined merely to verbal signals—bilateral relations will find no breakthrough.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1871888985385984/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) alone.