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As the US president moved away from global trade pacts and mingled with traditional tariff allies, Japan and China decided to set aside some of the tensions that had ruled their relations for decades. years. At present, they are cooperating more closely on trade issues and developing business partnerships that could help tackle the instability introduced by Trump in the region.
"From competition to cooperation, relations between Japan and China are moving into a new phase," said Abe during an appearance with Li after a welcome ceremony on Tiananmen Square including a salute to the cannon and a review of the troops under an icy blue sky.
"We are neighbors, we are partners who will cooperate with each other, rather than be a threat to each other," Abe said.
The Japanese leader was accompanied by Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Trade and more than 1,000 businessmen and women who, he said, had come to discuss common infrastructure and other projects in different areas. country of the region.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) with Chinese President Xi Jinping before a meeting at Diaoyutai State House in Beijing.Credit:AP
This reflected a greater focus on trade and investment and a break with the 40-year program of Chinese development aid. Many have seen this aid program launched in 1978 in what both countries have described as a fresh start in their relations, as a form of expiation for Japan's brutal invasion by Japan. in 1937, which paved the way for the Second World War.
Japan has "ended its historic mission" to financially assist China, Abe said at a reception after arriving in Beijing. "Now, Japan and China are playing vital roles for economic growth not only in Asia, but around the world," he said.
Li said Friday that the relations were "back to their normal trajectory".
"I hope that further progress will be made," he said, adding that the One Belt program, One Road, signed by President Xi Jinping, was planning to invest in infrastructure and infrastructure. 39, other projects in Eurasia. Japan has expressly refused to participate in this initiative, which is causing growing skepticism in some countries.
But Abe has indicated its willingness to support new joint projects as long as China will lead them in accordance with international standards of transparency, environmental protection and economic viability, said a spokesman.
Showing closer economic cooperation, the central banks of both countries also agreed to exchange the equivalent of 29 billion US dollars against use in the event of a financial crisis. Other agreements concerned the protection of intellectual property and the environment.
Few people expect the two countries to overcome their divisions easily or quickly. In his talks on Friday, Abe raised issues of human rights and security, especially around the islands of the East China Sea, which have been claimed by both countries, said the press a spokesman, Takeshi Osuga.
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"Without stability in the East China Sea, there can be no real improvement in the relationship," he said, paraphrasing Abe.
Abe went to China four times, meeting Xi on the sidelines of various international gatherings, but this was the first invitation to an official bilateral meeting. Osuga has diverted a question about the role that Trump's policies have played in encouraging both countries to cooperate more closely.
