China and Japan: A Potential Meeting on the Horizon

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently spoke with his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi. During their conversation, Wang Yi mentioned the importance of high-level exchanges between the two countries. This comment led many to speculate that there might be a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japan's new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi. Both leaders are set to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea this week. This event could provide a neutral setting for a meeting between Xi and Takaichi. Takaichi is known for her strong stance towards China, which makes this potential meeting even more interesting. Before heading to the APEC summit, Takaichi met with U. S. President Donald Trump. During their meeting, Trump welcomed Takaichi's plans to boost Japan's military capabilities. They also signed several trade and rare earth deals. This closer relationship between the U. S. and Japan is something that China is keeping a close eye on. Despite the tensions, Wang Yi noted that China has seen some positive signals from Japan's new cabinet. He emphasized the importance of these high-level exchanges for the future of China-Japan relations. However, he did not provide any specific details about what these positive signals might be. China has previously stated that Xi Jinping will meet with several heads of state at the APEC summit. However, they only specified that one of these meetings will be with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. The last time Xi met with a Japanese prime minister was in November 2024, with then Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. China has long been opposed to the close ties between the U. S. and Japan. They are particularly concerned about the presence of American troops in Japan, which they see as a threat to their interests in the region. Takaichi's visits to the Yasukuni shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, including those accused of war crimes in China, have also been a point of contention. In conclusion, while there is speculation about a potential meeting between Xi and Takaichi, it remains to be seen how their discussions will unfold. The outcome of this meeting could have significant implications for the future of China-Japan relations.