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President Xi and Premier Abe: a momentous meeting

2014-12-01 08:47:58       source:China.org.cn

November 30, 2014


"Most promisingly, perhaps, the two statesmen issued a joint communiqué which spelled out the scope of the confidence-building measures on which they had agreed in more detail than usual. Both sides now acknowledge the existence of "tense situations" around the Diaoyu Island; this is the first time that Japan has explicitly referred to the islands as a focus of dispute, even though no agreement could be reached beyond acknowledging that the two countries have differing views. The second point of the communiqué declared a joint intention to "overcome political difficulties" relating to 20th-century history by "squarely facing up to history," a well-established Chinese formulation. The problem here is that the wording of the communiqué allows a certain amount of "wiggle room" for interpretation: obviously, China will be watching closely to see how Japan chooses to interpret its commitments on "historical issues."


The other points covered in the joint communiqué concerned the revival of joint attempts to ensure that communications are adequate to avert accidental clashes between Chinese and Japanese navies and air forces patrolling the area. This is an obviously sensible initiative which has been largely put on ice since relations deteriorated two years ago, and its resumption is most welcome. Finally, the two leaders repeated their commitment to continuing dialogue on the basis of the existing documents laying down guidelines for bilateral relations following the re-establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972."


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http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/2014-11/30/content_34178568_2.htm