From 30-31 July, the 2018 China-Japan Dialogue on Ocean Affairs was held in Tokyo, Japan, co-hosted by the National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCSS) and Sasakawa Peace Foundation Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI-SPF). Initiated in 2016 by the NISCSS and OPRI-SPF, the Dialogue aims to develop a better understanding of convergent and divergent views of China and Japan on ocean affairs and establish an institutionalized mechanism for coordination and cooperation between the two countries in relevant fields. 

This year, the two-day program covered various ocean-related issues such as the latest development in ocean policies, blue economy and fishery technology of China and Japan, cooperation in disaster relief and search and rescue, as well as potential areas of maritime cooperation. Around 50 experts and scholars from a variety of related government agencies, universities, think tanks, and research institutes of both China and Japan attended the Dialogue, including the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese Embassy, PLA Academy of Military Science, Peking University, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, Institute of Oceanology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, Hainan Provincial Department of Fisheries, Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Ocean Policy Secretariat Cabinet Office, Policy Promotion Department of Shima City, Marine Technology Society of Japan, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency of the National Research and Development Agency, and Institute of Physical and Chemical Research.

NISCSS President Wu Shicun, OPRI-SPF Director Dr. Sunami Atsushi, and Mr. Iwamoto Keiichi, Director of the First China and Mongolia Division of Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered opening remarks at the Dialogue. Dr. Wu pointed out that China-Japan relationship has been back to the right track following a series of meetings between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on several multilateral occasions, and Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to Japan in May 2018. The positive momentum continues as the two sides launched the maritime and air liaison mechanism, signed the Memorandum on Strengthening Cooperation in Trade in Services and Memorandum of Understanding on Third-Party Markets Cooperation. Improving bilateral relations has provided an inviting environment for security cooperation and for Japanese enterprises to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. Following this positive trend, the maritime cooperation between the two countries could gradually expand and upgrade, starting from non-sensitive fields of non-traditional security, and ultimately enhance mutual trust and strengthen bilateral relationship. Dr. Sunami Atsushi stressed that the two sides have gained valuable experiences of cooperation through marine waste management, ocean development, and emergency responses such as those in the Sanchi Tanker Accident. Mr. Iwamoto highlighted the significance of the Dialogue marking the 40th anniversary of thesigning of China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship.

On 1 August 2018, a press conference for the Dialogue was held in Tokyo. Both Dr. Wu and Sunami spoke to the press on the background, fruit of discussions, as well as the significance and prospects of the Dialogue. Reporters from over 10 mainstream media in both China and Japan were present at the conference, including Asahi Shinbum, Sankei Shimbum, Kyodo News, NHK, Xinhua News Agency and China Youth Daily, among others.