Kishida, Xi meet as tensions grow over Taiwan, East China Sea

It's actually a nice photo. Kishida looks genuinely happy and Xi looks much better than when he met Abe. Let's hope this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

The democratically-elected government in Taipei rejects Beijing's claims and says only its people can decide its future.

But authoritarians like Xi have zero regard for what 'the people' might want.

Xi's priority to maintain his personal power and wealth. It could be the majority of Chinese people, who've long been under the thumb of repressive regimes, have forgotten they have human rights.

One country on a downward slide to obscurity, the other very much on an upward trend.

Actions from Xi speak a million times stronger than pretty photos or words. Unless China stops their aggressive, expansionist behaviour in the region - nothing changes.

Taiwan is free and NOT Chinese. Never will be. The world knows this, with the exception of Communist China.

Let's hope this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Let's get a grip and be realistic.

Let's get a grip and be realistic.

No need to be rude. You never know. And since when have these pages been a forum for much "realism"?

Much better than the Abe meeting.

No need to be rude. You never know. And since when have these pages been a forum for much "realism"?

Sorry if I came across as rude. But seeing the painted on smile of Xi over many years gives me zero belief a leopard can change its spots. Fact is the unelected ruler-for-life is becoming more and more authoritarian.

Imagine that, just like how it was announced that Sec. of State Blinken will soon visit China.

Kishida also told reporters that he had agreed with Xi to reopen diplomatic channels of communications, with Japan's foreign minister set to visit China in the near future.

Like two peas in a pod itching to get out…….

gives me zero belief a leopard can change its spots.

You are probably right. I am not a big fan of autocratic brother number one, Xi, or Kishida for that matter, but the persistent cynicism and anger displayed in this forum is probably not the way forward either. Even my own. I want to see hope where I can, even in a photograph. I don't want anger to cloud my judgement, as so many seem to let it.

The current PM, looks more like a TGI Friday worker…how many badges does he need?

Well Done Gentlemen.

Kishida has very little to smile about except his massive salary and benefits that he receives from the tax payer in Japan!

A great meeting by all accounts, the relationship can only become stronger, so long as the rogue state of the USA are kept far away.

It is a faint ray of hope. If we don’t actively go out to humiliate the face obsessed Chinese leadership class , with Xi firmly the head, by screaming about Taiwan all the time and just go easy on the rhetoric for a while ( with a quiet, stoic understanding that if it is attacked the world will step in ) then China may use the new found respect and cooling of temperature to allow the Taiwanese to economically integrate without invasion. Taiwan could even eventually become the high tech bridge between the East and the Wests economies. All of this handshaking and sit downs gives me hope that a disastrous war is not inevitable, not today anyway.

I know there is so much on the table with trust issues etc, but the old concept of give a man the benefit of the doubt and watch him rise to the occasion may be worth considering. Watching Xis body language and smiles tells me this is a man on a charm mission, and it maybe the opening of a window of opportunity. This is coming from a very staunch critic of the CCP btw, but one that knows and fears the implications of escalation. We all should.

In Asian cultures what is NOT said often carries heavy weight and meaning, so we in the West should play the culture game as best as we can. The goal is quiet simple. No war. The cooling of tensions and even an era of cooperation on the horizon if we get it right. It could be done.

Go diplomats! This is your time to shine!

Xi was quoted by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV as telling Kishida that China and Japan should deepen trust, areas of cooperation and regional integration, and resist "conflict and confrontation"

...and Japan should tell Xi to start first. Restoring the man-made militarised islands back to natural reefs would be a good start. How about showing some goodwill for peace by paying for Ukraine's rebuild, since as China voted against a UN resolution for Russia to pay Ukraine reparation.

Xi then went on to say that "China does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, nor does it accept anyone interfering in China's internal affairs under any pretext", CCTV reported.

...but it happily back Russia's invasion of Ukraine (with no limits), which means it either accepts Russian meddling in its policy, OR it totally accepts military interference of a sovereign state, OR both. The forked tongue of Xi comes out yet again.

Whilst also inviting over the evil Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his oil, training the Myanmar Junta, trying to keep the gas project going with lovely Russia, all of the J corporations still doing business in the latter two countries, and so on and so on. Knowing to not fear losing political power, as the general public will always keep them voting for them. No shame, no morals?

Why should Taiwan trouble Japan? Does Japan want to colonize Formosa again?

Taiwan has a democratic system. Most here then assumes that would automatically make them another Japan or South Korea, an Asian US ally, but the citizens of Taiwan actually consider and discuss reunification ad nauseum on TV and the internet.

Why should Taiwan trouble Japan? Does Japan want to colonize Formosa again?

The reason is there are US bases in Japan, and if the US involves itself joins the war on the side of Taiwan, it would indirectly involve Japan since the US bases are in Japan.

Bravo China Japan friendly relationship

Great photo, may this meeting serves for better cooperation and understanding between the two nations..

One country on a downward slide to obscurity, the other very much on an upward trend.

You're talking about the US on the downward side and China in the upward, right?..

The comparison could not be better...

Actions from Xi speak a million times stronger than pretty photos or words. Unless China stops their aggressive, expansionist behaviour in the region - nothing changes.

Taiwan is free and NOT Chinese. Never will be. The world knows this, with the exception of Communist China.

You forgot to write, "Fascist Russia" and " Mini-me Putin".. LOOOOL !!!..

While not a fan of either Kishida or Xi, I can only say well done! Finally some leaders behave like grown-ups.

@ awa no Gaijin and stephen chin

The truth is that Taiwan was a independent free republic nation before Japan colonized it for 50 years and ended its sovereignty.

Why should Taiwan trouble Japan? Does Japan want to colonize Formosa again?

You guys live so in the past. That all happened over 70 years ago.

I often meet my Taiwanese colleagues and I having been raised in the West, asked them about Taiwan's colonization openly over dinner one night. There were some negative aspects as with all forms of colonization but they said that living standards, education, population, infrastructure and standard of living improved greatly. They ended the night saying "The past is the past!!"

Japan has a great relationship with Taiwan, and when my Japanese colleagues and I go to Taiwan for business, there is no animosity towards them about the past.

Taiwan is a free independent country and they certainly don't want to be under the control of the CCP .

Chinas policy is very simple. There is no contested territory because it is all ours. As such, we can do anything we like and you can not interfere. And, our propaganda will paint you as at fault.

Only a matter of time before there is armed conflict with China.

Kishida, Xi meet as tensions grow over Taiwan, East China Sea:

Is Japan PM really showing any concern over regional security while beefing up naval defense relentlessly?

He is indirectly telling China to stop its naval activities near Taiwan.

Diplomatic farce is meaningless..

When will China apologize and indemnify the world for the biggest health crisis in history?

Can no one see it yet? Looks like they fooled around and fell in love. Now Kishida is persuading Xi to give up nukes and promote world peace. You can literally see it on their faces.

WiseOneIn KansaiToday  01:00 pm JST

@ awa no Gaijin and stephen chin

The truth is that Taiwan was a independent free republic nation before Japan colonized it for 50 years and ended its sovereignty.

Why should Taiwan trouble Japan? Does Japan want to colonize Formosa again?

You guys live so in the past. That all happened over 70 years ago.

I often meet my Taiwanese colleagues and I having been raised in the West, asked them about Taiwan's colonization openly over dinner one night. There were some negative aspects as with all forms of colonization but they said that living standards, education, population, infrastructure and standard of living improved greatly. They ended the night saying "The past is the past!!"

Once the LDP stops going annually to Yasukuni to honour the 14 convicted (by the World court no less) Class-A war criminals, then Japan itself could be considered as having can stopped living in the past.

The United States will withdraw two of US Air Force F-15 squadrons from Kadena.

I wonder Kishida still believes the United States will defend the Senkakus Islands when China invades these islands.

Hi Friend-0, Congratulations on your state-of-the-art concentration camps. How are your aspirations for world domination coming along? So sorry our sovereignty is disturbing your territorial ambitions. When you come to see us, we'll be waiting for you. Let's smile and shake hands. Please take care. Bye Bye!

@zeram1

If you want to twist one wrong fact, that's fine.

The Japanese have been going to Yasukuni since the late 19th century. You wrongly assume that everyone in Japan goes there just to honor those that were convicted in the Tokyo Trial.

Every country has war memorials, the main purpose is to remember those that we have lost.

The attached photo shows Chinese President Xi Jinping is all smiles, which I have never seen before, while our Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is just smiling shyly. What does it all mean?

As we get 95% of oil from The middle east, which passes through Taiwan straight, we should be licking up to China, otherwise japan is byebye

Xi then went on to say that "China does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries,

An absolute lie from Jinping. China donates money to politicians it can manipulate in many countries, in attempts to get outcomes conducive to China, thus interfering in other nations internal affairs. China interferes in Taiwan's internal affairs on a regular basis.

on the issue of maritime and territorial disputes, we should abide by the consensus of principles already reached, and show political wisdom and commitment to properly manage differences."

China and Japan should deepen trust, areas of cooperation and regional integration, and resist "conflict and confrontation".

China will not stop confronting Japan around the Senkaku's but talks of cooperation and deepening trust that is non existent. Jinping being two faced as usual. China is not to be trusted or taken at face value. Its words are worthless when not reinforced with actions.

One country on a downward slide to obscurity, the other very much on an upward trend.

You're talking about the US on the downward side and China in the upward, right?..

It actually sounds like China is on the downward slide and America on the upward trend.

I say that because of the growing trend to remove investments and manufacturing from China, and the growing realization around the world that China cant be trusted and is not leadership material. China's rise is over. The US is trending upwards.

@Peter14, Chinese names are the reverse of American practice. Xi is the family name and Jinping is his given name. His father was Xi Zhonxun. His younger brother is Xi Yuanping. The US President's name in China would be Biden Joseph. Calling him "Jinping" is calling him by what would be his first or given name in the US. He is properly called Mr. Xi, though his mom and siblings especially his older sisters likely called him Ping Ping when he was a kid. His wife may still call him that in private O_O

Taiwan is as Chinese as America is British

That is actually a good analogy. I like it. Taiwan still uses classical characters in its writing, not Mao's New Pinyin. Taiwan still has all the good traditions of Chinese culture Mao destroyed on the mainland, leaving a nation with their only remaining social value as the raw accumulation of wealth.

As we get 95% of oil from The middle east, which passes through Taiwan straight, we should be licking up to China, otherwise japan is byebye

Only if you are a coward.

As we get 95% of oil from The middle east, which passes through Taiwan straight, we should be licking up to China, otherwise japan is byebye

There is another way around Taiwan, so you can save your autocratic licking up for another day Rodders.

@Peter14, Chinese names are the reverse of American practice. Xi is the family name and Jinping is his given name. His father was Xi Zhonxun. His younger brother is Xi Yuanping. The US President's name in China would be Biden Joseph. Calling him "Jinping" is calling him by what would be his first or given name in the US

I am well aware of that. I am not Chinese so I call people by their first name and not their last name (family name). To me he is Jinping Xi.

UdondashiNov. 18  03:41 pm JST

The United States will withdraw two of US Air Force F-15 squadrons from Kadena.

And they will be replaced by rotating squadrons including the F-22 Raptor. Your comment is pointless.