LIMA: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba raised “serious concerns” to Chinese President Xi Jinping at their first in-person meeting on Saturday (November 16), according to Tokyo’s foreign ministry.
However, the two sides agreed to work together to develop cultural exchanges and maintain high-level economic discussion, both Tokyo and Beijing announced during the talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru.
The discussion comes after Ishiba retained his position as prime minister in a legislative vote last week, despite leading the ruling coalition to its worst election result in 15 years.
Japan and China have deteriorated as Beijing expands its military presence in the region and Tokyo strengthens security ties with the United States and its allies. According to the Japanese foreign ministry, Ishiba “conveyed serious concerns over the Chinese military’s growing activity” to Xi.
He reiterated his belief that “the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait is extremely important to Japan and the international community, while also expressing serious concerns over the situation surrounding the South China Sea, Hong Kong and Xinjiang.
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