China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, set to visit Japan on Tuesday. (Image via Plataforma Media)

Chinese Foreign Minister to visit Japan amid regional tension

On Tuesday, the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, was scheduled to visit Tokyo. Yi's visit will mark the first high-level visit since the election of the new Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga, in September and the rising concerns over Beijing's assertiveness in the Asia - Pacific region.

Suga himself wanted to balance Japan's relation with China by addressing security concerns, especially the disputed East China Sea's islets. While Suga rejected the anti-China stance proposed by its ally, the United States (U.S), Suga tried to tackle China's growing influence by deepening ties with Australia, and for the first time since his appointment, visiting South East nations such as Vietnam and Indonesia.

On the other hand, Japan also encouraged its companies to reduce reliance on China by producing things from home or moving its plants and factories to ASEAN. Speaking on Friday, the Yi's counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi, stated that the visit is important to resolve concerns and improve bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries. Motegi also claimed that he would state his views frankly on bilateral relations with Wang, including how the cooperations with the two countries might continue during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

While Japan is against China's growing assertiveness in the East China Sea, both China and Japan are trying to bring each other closer. Previously, China and other 14 countries, including Japan and S. Korea, had already signed a multilateral deal, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Nonetheless, the U.S is not included. The deal marks the tariff reduction arrangement between China and Japan, and the first single free-trade bloc between the trilateral countries: Japan, S. Korea, and China.

After Japan, Wang reportedly will go to Seoul. There, he will also hold talks that will include the representative from N. Korea.

Source: https://bit.ly/33cOBnR