Japan-China Summit Meeting (Arms Control and Disarmament)

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Japan-China Summit Meeting (Arms Control and Disarmament)

August 10, 1991

China Division

On August 10, Disarmament Division Director Shinyo Takahiro made a telephone call concerning the part of the Japan-China summit meeting on arms control and disarmament. Its contents were as follows:

1. In regard to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Prime Minister [Kaifu Toshiki] said that he would like China to accede to it. Premier Li Peng stated: “In regard to this issue, the Government of China at present is (effectively) carrying it out. On the other hand, unlike a few countries with nuclear weapons, China’s nuclear weapons are entirely for its own self-defense. China states that, “We will not be the first to use nuclear weapons,” but some nuclear powers have not made this statement. China has decided in principle to accede to the NPT. We will announce it right after this meeting. Concerning this point, however, and this is not a condition, we would like Japan to appeal to some nuclear weapon states to make a declaration of intent that they will not be the first to use nuclear weapons.”

2. In regard to the issue of conventional arms transfers, our side said that it would like to be a co-sponsoring country. The Chinese side then said: “China participated in the recent conference of five countries in Paris but not as an arms exporter but as a permanent member of the Security Council.” Furthermore, in regard to a reporting system for the export and import of conventional arms, the Chinese side said: “We must consider its feasibility. For example, when it comes to inspections and reporting, there are some who argue that it should cover not only complete weapons but weapons technology and parts as well. There is also likely to be talk of calling on not only exporting countries but importing countries to report. Japan, too, imports weapons and Japan would also have to submit reports. How about that? In regard to Taiwan, too, there are countries that sell it weapons. In that case, it would be necessary to report which countries are selling how much to Taiwan. That would be a rather difficult issue. Frankly speaking, Japan’s motivation is very good, but we wonder about its feasibility. Also, there is likely to be an argument that some big countries may use it as an unfair means to control small and medium countries.” (The Prime Minister made an opposing argument to the above (omitted).) Premier Li Peng said that he would like both sides to consult on this issue.

3. The Chinese side said that North Korea was advocating the declaration of the Korean Peninsula as a nuclear-free zone, that this was reasonable, and that he would like Japan to support it. The Prime Minister spoke following the guidelines for responses, saying that there were various conditions and that, basically, it was important that North Korea precisely implement the IAEA’s inspection agreement.

4. Our side did not raise any questions regarding the original signatory countries of the MTCR and the CW.

(End)