Tokyo, Nov 18
Senior officials from Japan and China held talks in Beijing on Tuesday amid rising tensions triggered by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent comments on Taiwan, which have strained the bilateral relationship.
Citing Japanese government sources, Kyodo News reported that Masaaki Kanai, head of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, met with his Chinese counterpart Liu Jinsong on Tuesday to discuss bilateral issues.
Reports suggest that through the discussions, Tokyo aims to defuse the diplomatic spat that is impacting tourism, education and entertainment exchanges between the two neighbouring countries.
These talks followed Beijing's sharp protest after Japanese PM Takaichi, known for her pro-Taiwan stance, stated before a parliamentary committee on November 7 that a military attack on Taiwan could amount to a 'survival-threatening situation' for Japan, hinting at a potential response involving the Japanese Self-Defence Forces.