National security and espionage issues discussed. Japanese Foreign Minister's first visit to China in 3 years

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi discussed regional security on Sunday during his first visit to China in more than three years, amid escalating tensions in the region.

Yoshimasa said Japan-China relations have great potential for growth, but expressed his country's "deep" concern over China's increasing military activity, including Beijing's rapprochement with Russia and its presence in the East China Sea.

"Both sides emphasized the importance of continuing dialogue on issues including national security," he said, adding that he spoke to his Chinese counterpart Chen Gang about "the importance of ensuring peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."

Yoshimasa said that despite differences between Japan and China, they agreed to resume trilateral talks with South Korea, describing the agreement during his meeting with Chen as an "important achievement."

Chen said the Chinese and Japanese sides should follow the consensus - which he described as important - of the two countries' leaders and strengthen bilateral ties to remove interferences and overcome difficulties, he said.

"Peaceful coexistence and friendly cooperation are the only right options" for relations between the two countries, the Chinese minister said after talks with his Japanese counterpart in Beijing.

At the same time, Chen accused the United States of having previously used "bullying tactics to suppress the Japanese semiconductor industry" and is now repeating its old tricks against China, he said.

Regarding the recent arrest of a Japanese citizen in China on espionage charges, the Chinese foreign minister said his country's authorities will handle the case in accordance with the law.

Japan's foreign minister said he had called on China to release his detained compatriot, lodged a protest against his detention and made Japan's position clear, he said.

He added that Japan calls for transparency regarding the legal procedure of the detention, but did not mention China's reaction to it.

A week ago, a spokesperson for Astellas Pharma announced that one of the company's employees had been detained in China for unknown reasons.

Japan's Kyodo news agency reported that at least 16 Japanese citizens, not including this case, have been detained in China since 2015 on suspicion of espionage activities.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang received Japan's foreign minister and said he urged Japan to strengthen dialog and cooperation with his country and help manage their differences.

Source: Al Jazeera + Agencies