World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Japan seeks to prevent Xi from snubbing Takaichi at China’s APEC summit
Japan wants Xi Jinping to give Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi a customary greeting when they meet at the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China.
Their encounter would be their first since Takaichi’s comments about Taiwan worsened relations between the two countries.
She said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could pose an existential threat to Japan, and has refused to retract the remarks.
China has restricted rare-earth exports to Japan, materials important to its semiconductor and car industries.
The dispute has pushed Japan-China ties to one of their lowest points in decades, making even the summit’s formal courtesies uncertain.
Japanese officials have sought assurances that Xi will treat Takaichi like other leaders, and say Tokyo will protest if China arranges anything unusual.
A full meeting between Xi and Takaichi is considered unlikely, with their contact expected to be limited to formal summit events.
The summit is scheduled for November 18 and 19, but the available information does not say how Xi will ultimately treat Takaichi.
Japan is seeking assurances that Chinese President Xi Jinping will give Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi the customary reception at the APEC summit in Shenzhen.
The leaders are expected to attend the summit in China on Nov. 18 and 19, amid strained relations between their countries.
Tensions escalated after Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could pose an existential threat to Japan.
Japan is concerned Xi could embarrass or sideline Takaichi, including through seating arrangements or other summit events.
A bilateral meeting between Xi and Takaichi is considered unlikely, according to people familiar with the planning.
- Who
- Japan is seeking assurances about how Chinese President Xi Jinping will treat Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
- What
- Japan wants Xi to give Takaichi a customary reception at the APEC summit.
- When
- The summit is scheduled for Nov. 18 to 19. The year is not stated in the article text.
- Where
- Shenzhen, China.
- Why
- Relations have worsened after Takaichi’s remarks about a possible Chinese attack on Taiwan, and Japan fears she could be embarrassed or sidelined.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Xi shook hands with then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the last APEC summit hosted by China.
Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could pose an existential threat to Japan.
China imposed restrictions on rare-earth exports to Japan, according to the article.
The APEC summit in Shenzhen is scheduled to take place.
- Summit location
- Shenzhen, China
- Summit dates
- Nov. 18 to 19
- Japanese prime minister
- Sanae Takaichi
- Chinese president
- Xi Jinping
- Previous China-hosted APEC summit
- 2014
4 sources
What people are saying
Over the past year, Beijing has personalised its rhetorical attacks against Japan, many of which focus on demonising Takaichi to an unusual degree
That increases the chances China could find an opportunity at APEC to personally embarrass her by downgrading her status or criticising Japan.