Politician · person

Yoshihide Suga on Xi Jinping

Pragmatic engagement focus (moderate)

TL;DR

Yoshihide Suga sought pragmatic engagement with Xi Jinping, prioritizing stable bilateral ties over immediate conflict on sensitive issues.

Key Points

The leaders agreed to pursue high-level contacts following their first telephone conversation on September 25, 2020.
Suga expressed concern to Xi about the situation in the East China Sea, referencing intrusions near the Senkaku Islands.
China’s President congratulated Suga on his election and expressed readiness to work toward bilateral relations that meet the new era's requirements, according to Chinese state media on September 16, 2020.

Summary

Yoshihide Suga, upon becoming Prime Minister, initiated contact with Xi Jinping by holding a telephone conversation on September 25, 2020, in which both leaders agreed to pursue high-level contact. Suga stressed that stable Japan-China relations are important for the region and the international community, confirming cooperation on shared interests like the fight against COVID-19. This introductory dialogue, which followed Xi’s postponed state visit, aimed at building relations fitting the new era, as noted by Chinese state media.

Despite the general agreement to cooperate, the context involved underlying tensions; Suga expressed concern regarding the situation in the East China Sea over the Senkaku Islands dispute and the situation in Hong Kong. However, analysts suggested the initial call was kept 'sweet' by avoiding direct confrontation on the most prickly issues, indicating Suga’s initial approach was one of pragmatic diplomacy to maintain stability amidst escalating U.S.-China tensions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the nature of Yoshihide Suga's first conversation with Xi Jinping?

Yoshihide Suga held his first telephone conversation with Xi Jinping on September 25, 2020, shortly after taking office as Prime Minister. In this introductory call, they agreed to maintain close high-level contact and work together on issues of mutual interest. The stability of the Japan-China relationship was mutually acknowledged as important for the wider region.

Did Yoshihide Suga raise contentious issues with Xi Jinping in their first talks?

Yes, the former Prime Minister expressed concern about the situation in the East China Sea, specifically regarding the disputed islands. He also wished to discuss issues like the tighter control over Hong Kong. Analysts suggested the initial call avoided deep dives into these prickly subjects to maintain a stable foundation for the relationship.

What was Xi Jinping's initial message to Yoshihide Suga upon his election?

Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Yoshihide Suga on his election as Japanese Prime Minister on September 16, 2020. In it, Xi stressed the importance of long-term stable, friendly, and cooperative relations for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world. China expressed its readiness to build bilateral relations that meet the needs of the new era.