Japan national security chief criticizes China’s military exercises
16:19 JST, August 18, 2022
Takeo Akiba, secretary general of the National Security Secretariat, criticized Beijing’s extensive military exercises around Taiwan earlier this month in a recent meeting with Yang Jiechi, one of China’s top diplomats, the Japanese government said Thursday.
During the Wednesday meeting with Yang, who is a member of the Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo, Akiba stressed the importance of peace and stability in the region. They agreed to continue the dialogue between Tokyo and Beijing.
The Chinese side invited Akiba to Tianjin, China, for the talks, which lasted about seven hours total, including dinner. It was Akiba’s first meeting with Yang in person since assuming his current post.
According to government sources, Akiba referred to the escalation of tensions in connection with a visit by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan and strongly protested China’s firing of ballistic missiles that fell within Japan’s exclusive economic zone during its military exercises.
Akiba also lodged a protest over China’s repeated intrusions into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
Akiba and Yang affirmed the need for both sides to strive to build a constructive, stable relationship and confirmed that the two countries would continue their dialogue. Japan and China will mark the 50th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations on Sept. 29, and they are expected to move toward rebuilding their bilateral relationship.
During the talks on Wednesday, Akiba and Yang also discussed the situation in Ukraine, where Russia’s aggression has continued, as well as North Korea, which is continuing with its nuclear and missile development.
"Politics" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Shigeru Ishiba Retains Post as Japanese Prime Minister; Wins Runoff Against Head of Largest Opposition Party
-
Ex-Hyogo Governor Reelected Despite Power Abuse Scandal; Returns to Office Months After Unanimous No-Confidence Vote
-
Hard-to-Verify Information Spread during Hyogo Election Campaign; Contributed to Result in Saito’s Reelection
-
Japan, U.S., ROK Hold Joint Training; Nations Practice Combating Maritime, Aerial, Cyber Threats
-
China Unveils J-35A Stealth Fighters at Airshow China in Zhuhai; Russian Military Flight Team Participates to Show Unity
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Malaysia Growing in Popularity as Destination for Studying Abroad; British-style Education Available at Low Cost
- ‘Women Over 30 Would Have Uteruses Removed’; Remarks of CPJ Leader, Novelist Naoki Hyakuta Get Wide Attention
- APEC Leaders Vow to Maintain Free Trade System
- Ministry Eyes Improving Night-School Japanese Lessons; Aim Is To Help Foreigners Complete Junior High School
- U.N. Panel Resolution Raps N. Korea’s Human Rights Violations