Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed “serious concerns” over China’s assertive activities in the South China Sea during his first in-person meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The bilateral discussions, held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru, marked a critical juncture in the often-tense relationship between Asia’s two largest economies.
The talks, described as candid yet constructive, revealed deep divisions on key security issues but also highlighted potential areas for collaboration. Both leaders agreed to deepen cultural exchanges and sustain high-level dialogue on economic matters, according to statements from Tokyo and Beijing.
The meeting came at a politically delicate time for Ishiba, who recently retained his position as prime minister despite leading his ruling coalition to its worst electoral performance in 15 years. It also occurred against a backdrop of heightened military and geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, where territorial disputes, security alliances, and competing economic interests have escalated rivalries.
Ishiba’s remarks to Xi underscored Japan’s concerns about China’s growing military assertiveness. “The peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait is extremely important to Japan and the international community,” Ishiba said, as quoted by Japan’s foreign ministry. He also voiced apprehensions about Beijing’s activities in the South China Sea, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang.
China’s increasing militarization of the South China Sea, where it has constructed artificial islands and bolstered naval operations, has alarmed its neighbors and raised global security concerns. Ishiba’s warnings reflect Japan’s growing unease over the potential for conflict in the region and its implications for international shipping lanes and regional stability.
The South China Sea remains one of the world’s most contested regions, with overlapping territorial claims from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. Beijing asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire area, a claim rejected by an international tribunal in 2016. Despite this ruling, China has intensified its military activities, including the deployment of coast guard and militia vessels.
Japan, while not a claimant in the South China Sea disputes, has a vested interest in maintaining open sea lanes, given its reliance on maritime trade. Ishiba’s concerns align with Tokyo’s broader strategy of enhancing security cooperation with the United States and regional allies to counterbalance Beijing’s influence.
“We strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in Asia-Pacific waters,” Ishiba stated in a joint declaration with U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, issued during trilateral talks at APEC. The statement condemned the use of coercion and maritime militias in the South China Sea without directly naming China.
Japan’s concerns extend beyond the South China Sea. The Taiwan Strait, a flashpoint of military tensions between China and the U.S., is another area of strategic importance to Tokyo. Beijing has ramped up military activities near Taiwan, conducting frequent incursions into its air defense identification zone and staging military exercises around the island.
For Japan, the stability of the Taiwan Strait is closely tied to its national security. Ishiba reiterated that preserving peace in the strait is crucial for both Japan and the global community. Meanwhile, he also addressed the long-standing territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands (known as Diaoyu in China), a group of uninhabited islets in the East China Sea administered by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing. The islands remain a perennial source of tension between the two nations.
Despite the geopolitical frictions, both Ishiba and Xi acknowledged the deep economic ties binding Japan and China. “Our economic interests and industrial supply chains are deeply intertwined,” Xi said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stable production networks and supporting the global free trade system.
Both leaders agreed to pursue mutual visits by their foreign ministers and promote high-level dialogues on cultural and economic exchanges. These initiatives are seen as vital for maintaining a degree of stability in their bilateral relations amid broader regional competition.
Another sensitive issue discussed during the talks was the safety of Japanese nationals living in China. The recent fatal stabbing of a 10-year-old Japanese schoolboy in Shenzhen highlighted concerns about security for foreign residents in the country. Ishiba urged Xi to bolster protective measures for Japanese citizens, to which Xi responded by pledging to ensure the safety of all foreign nationals in China, including Japanese residents.
The Ishiba-Xi meeting reflects a broader recalibration of regional dynamics as major powers navigate an increasingly polarized geopolitical landscape. While Japan seeks to counterbalance China’s assertiveness through alliances with the U.S. and other regional partners, it also recognizes the need for constructive dialogue with Beijing to address shared challenges.
At the APEC summit, Ishiba’s engagements underscored Japan’s commitment to multilateralism and regional stability. His trilateral meeting with Biden and Yoon sent a strong signal of unity among U.S. allies in addressing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
The leaders’ joint statement, though not explicitly naming China, left little doubt about its intended audience. “We steadfastly oppose the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels and coercive activities in the South China Sea,” the statement read, reaffirming the allies’ resolve to uphold international law and freedom of navigation.
For Ishiba, the meeting with Xi represents a delicate balancing act between expressing Japan’s security concerns and maintaining a functional relationship with its largest trading partner. While the talks highlighted significant differences over territorial disputes and human rights issues, the commitment to continued dialogue and cultural exchanges offers a glimmer of hope for improved ties.
Similarly, for Xi, managing relations with Japan is crucial amid mounting international scrutiny of China’s actions in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the South China Sea. As Beijing faces growing resistance from the U.S. and its allies, fostering stable ties with neighboring powers like Japan may prove strategically advantageous.
The Ishiba-Xi talks underline the complexities of Japan-China relations, characterized by both intense rivalry and indispensable cooperation. While security concerns will likely remain a source of tension, the shared economic interests and ongoing diplomatic initiatives could provide a foundation for more constructive engagement.
As the Indo-Pacific continues to evolve as a theater of strategic competition, the interactions between Japan and China will play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s future. The APEC summit, with its focus on multilateral dialogue and economic collaboration, serves as a timely reminder of the importance of diplomacy in navigating an increasingly fraught geopolitical environment.
Prime Minister Ishiba’s “serious concerns” may resonate as a call for vigilance, but the agreements reached in his meeting with Xi suggest a willingness to keep the lines of communication open—an essential step in managing one of Asia’s most consequential relationships.
