China’s Li Qiang and Japanese PM Ishiba pledge stable ties in first meeting

Japan’s new ‘military geek’ prime minister is looking to strengthen his country’s defences and roll out security innovations

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Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (left) and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the sidelines of the Asean leaders’ meetings on East Asia cooperation in Vientiane on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 1:01pm, 11 Oct 2024Updated: 7:22pm, 11 Oct 2024

In his first meeting with the new Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said he hoped that Japan and China could “meet each other halfway and keep the relationship on the right track”.

Li also urged the promotion of strategic and mutually beneficial relations with Japan while maintaining the stability of global supply chains, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

The meeting, on the sidelines of the Asean summit in Laos on Thursday, was the first high-level exchange between the neighbouring countries since Ishiba’s ascension to the role on October 1.

Both sides have also been pushing to stabilise ties after the killing of a Japanese boy in China last month and a series of diplomatic rows on a range of issues between Beijing and Tokyo.

In the meeting, Li noted that China is ready to work with Japan to capitalise on their respective comparative advantages, and explore more areas of cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, the digital economy and green development.

According to the foreign ministry readout, Li also reiterated Beijing’s concerns over export restrictions imposed by Japan.