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August 1988

Japan-China Summit Meeting Scenario

This document was made possible with support from The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Secret

Indefinite Period

 

Japan-China Summit Meeting Scenario

(Meeting from 16:15, welcome dinner party from 19:30)

 

(Opening remarks)

(1) Welcome address from Premier Li Peng

(2) Response from Prime Minister (major accompanying person introduces him)

(Item 1. Bilateral Relationship – Political)

(1) Statement from Prime Minister

(A) (Appraisal of Overall Japan-China Relations)

- Relations between Japan and China have developed smoothly since the normalization of relations and are good overall. In particular, their development has been remarkable since the concluding of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China, which shows the treaty’s significance. Henceforth as well, let us work to realize lasting relations of peace and friendship.

- Good relations between Japan and China contribute to the peace and stability of Asia and, in turn, the world. [TN: crossed out -- “A structure of Japan-China relations that contribute to the world” is our new mission.]

- Problems that arise will be resolved by the efforts of our two sides.

(B) (Basis of Our Country’s China Policy)

- The development of friendly relations between Japan and China is a major pillar of our country’s diplomacy. The Japan-China Joint Communique, Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China, and the Four Principles of relations between Japan and China are the foundation. We will be unstinting in our cooperation in this regard.

(C) (Japan-Taiwan Relations)

- We have consistently adhered to the position of Article 2 and Article 3 in the Japan-China Joint Communique.

(D) (The Kokaryo Issue) – Main Points

(E) (Shanghai Railway Accident) We earnestly desire China’s sincere response.

(F)  (Issue of Japanese Orphans Left Behind in China) We appreciate the cooperation to date. We request continued cooperation in the search for their relatives.

(G) (VIP Visits)

- Premier Li Peng – How about around the time the cherry trees bloom next year?

- General Secretary Zhao Ziyang – We would like a visit at your convenience.

- National People’s Congress Standing Committee Chairman Wan Li – We hope for a visit to Japan at an early date.

- Foreign Minister Qian – We hope for a visit to Japan in late October.

(2) Statement from Li Peng on Same Themes

(If necessary, Prime Minister will make remarks in response to those points.)

(Item 2. Bilateral Relations – Economy, Economic Cooperation)

(1) Statement from Prime Minister

(A) (Economy’s Present State, Prospects)

- Japan and China, two countries with different systems, are close economic partners. Behind this are China’s modernization policy and good and stable relations between Japan and China. 

- Recently, there has been improvement in the trade imbalance, and trade relations between Japan and China are moving in a direction of expansion and balance. Japan welcomes China’s joining the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

- Japan appraises Chinese efforts to improve its investment environment. We are now going to formally sign the Japan-China Investment Protection Agreement. Our two sides will continue to work towards the future.

- The role of technology transfer in China’s modernization and construction is a large on. Our side, too, is interested in the promotion of technology transfer. How about holding a Japan-China technology exchange conference?

(B) (Economic Cooperation)

- Our country will cooperate as much as possible in your country’s efforts to modernize. Since 1982, in almost every year the greatest part of our country’s ODA has gone to China.

- Third yen loan, grant aid – main points

(2) Remarks by Li Peng on Same Themes

(If necessary, Prime Minister will make remarks in response to those points.)

(Item 3. Bilateral Relations – Cultural, Person-to-Person Exchanges)

(1) Statement from Prime Minister

- In addition to the political and economic fields, I recognize once again the importance of cultural and academic exchanges. In promoting cultural exchanges, the aim is the development of more balanced Japan-China relations.

- There exists an enormous cultural heritage in your country. In particular, there has been cooperation by the governments and peoples of our two countries in regard to the historic remains at Dunhuang. On this basis, I would like to propose cooperation in respect to facility construction for the preservation of cultural remains in Dunhuang.

- Through the development of person-to-person, cultural, and academic exchanges between our two countries, “sentimental ties” and mutual trust are strengthened.

(2) Remarks by Li Peng on Same Themes

(If necessary, Prime Minister will make remarks in response to those points.)

(Coffee Break)

(Item 4. International Situation)

(1) Prime Minister and Li Peng will alternately make statement, reply on each point

(A) General Understanding of the International Situation

- Recent developments in the international situation – Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, Soviet military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan – first steps towards improved East-West relations. Noteworthy developments towards resolution of Iran-Iraq conflict, Korean Peninsula problem, and Cambodia problem. East-West relations remain, however, basically antagonistic. Our country will work as much as possible for world peace and stability.

- Understanding regarding the Soviet Union – There has been some change in Soviet society under perestroika. In diplomacy, our concern is the Asia-Pacific region. We should rightly appraise the positive in Soviet policy. However, we focus not on words but on concrete action, which will be the main point of our response.

(B) Situation on the Korean Peninsula – It should be resolved primarily by direct dialogue between the parties concerned of South and North Korea. For an ultimate resolution of the problem as well, promoting exchanges of South Korea with North Korea,  of South Korea with China and the Soviet Union, and of North Korea with Japan and the United States is meaningful. We are ready to promote relations between Japan and North Korea. However, the precondition to this is the resolution of the No. 18 Fuji Maru problem.

(C) Situation in Indochina – In the peace process going forward, attention will be on the November meeting between Sihanouk and Hun Sen. When Sihanouk visited Japan, he desired to use the meeting to aim for a break-through in the situation and the establishment of a four-faction coalition government. However, he is concerned over the possible refusal of the Khmer Rouge and Son Sann factions to participate. Our basic position is for the complete withdrawal of Vietnamese forces and the prevention of inhumane elements from returning.

Summary of Japanese Prime Minister Takeshita's conversation with Li Peng on Sino-Japanese political, economic, and cultural relations, the Chinese economy, and developments in the Soviet Union, Korea, and Cambodia.



Document Information

Source

2019-1222, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, published online by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Translated by Stephen Mercado.

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Original Uploaded Date

2022-11-02

Type

Meeting Notes

Language

Record ID

291309

Original Classification

Secret

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