Photo/Illutration Japanese and Chinese experts discuss Asia’s security environment and ways the two nations can cooperate during the Tokyo-Beijing Forum in Tokyo on Dec. 5. (Atsushi Okudera)

Amid worsening public sentiment, the Tokyo-Beijing Forum wrapped up on Dec. 5 with experts adopting a declaration to promote government dialogue and people-to-people exchanges.

Chinese participants repeatedly emphasized that “now is a critical time to advance relations,” and both sides agreed on the importance of talks between their leaders.

Around 100 former Cabinet ministers and former officials in diplomacy and defense from the two countries discussed security and responses to global conflicts. The forum in Tokyo was organized by Japan’s Genron NPO and the China International Communications Group.

During the two days of discussions, Chinese participants stressed the significance of improving Japan-China relations at this vital time.

Liu Hongcai, former vice minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, said, “High-level exchanges between governments and political parties will be crucial.” 

These remarks are thought to reflect the view that the November talks between the country's leaders were conducted smoothly. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru.

The Chinese side reiterated its agreement to advance “strategic mutually beneficial ties” and to build a constructive and stable relationship.

However, discussions on rising tensions in Asia, including those surrounding Taiwan and the South China Sea, underscored differences between Japan and China’s positions.

On the economic front, participants expressed concerns over the rise of protectionism and unilateralism.

The Tokyo declaration said that Japan and China “aim for a free and open economy.” This shared understanding between the two countries may have been influenced by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House.

Yi Gang, former governor of the People’s Bank of China, touched on Japan’s economic development after World War II and China’s rapid growth following its economic reform.

“Both countries have benefited from global free trade,” he said.

(This article was written by Yusaku Yamane and Atsushi Okudera, a senior staff writer.)

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