Japan, China meet to discuss maritime concerns
Senior Japanese and Chinese officials met on Monday to discuss maritime concerns in disputed waters in the East China Sea as Beijing conducted wargames around Taiwan.
The talks, part of a regular round of consultations on maritime affairs that began in 2012, come as Chinese warplanes and warships simulated strikes against Taiwan after the island's President Tsai Ing-wen visited the United States, where she met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Prior to the start of the talks, a top Japanese government spokesman said Japan has been following China's military drills around Taiwan consistently and 'with great interest'.
'The importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is not only important for the security of Japan, but also for the stability of the international community as a whole,' Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters.
China considers Taiwan as a part of China and regards meetings between senior United States and Taiwanese officials as interference in its internal affairs. It has not ruled out using force to bring what it views as a rogue province under its control.
China and Japan previous month established a military communications hotline to help them defuse any air and sea incidents in the contested waters.
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