The defence chiefs of China and Japan spoke through their newly established maritime and air liaison mechanism direct phone line for the first time on Tuesday.
Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu and Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada “exchanged views on relations between the two countries and bilateral defence ties,” the Chinese Defense Ministry said in a press release on the same day.
The release added that the direct phone line is “a practical measure” to help implement the “important consensus” reached by their respective leaders, and “will effectively enrich” their communication channels and enhance their “capabilities in managing maritime and air crisis.” It called the initiative “a positive move to further safeguard regional peace and stability.”
#Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Li Shangfu and #Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada talked on Tue using maritime and air liaison direct phoneline for the first time, exchanging views on bilateral and defense relations: Chinese Defense Ministry#China #Japan pic.twitter.com/FQvWIXlnQe
— Ji Rong嵇蓉 (@JiRongMFA) May 16, 2023
Regional Stability
Unnamed analysts told Chinese state-owned media house Global Times (GT) that the move “will help maintain regional stability and avoid crisis” at a time when Japan has “recently made provocative remarks” over the Taiwan issue and against the backdrop of a powerful flotilla belonging to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy spotted sailing near Japan.
The comment was a reference to Japanese PM Fumio Kishida’s statement during an interview with Nikkei Asia last week, wherein he said that Taiwan is a matter of importance not just to Japan, but to the entire world.
A Chinese military expert who requested anonymity further told the media house that the latest discussion “can be viewed as a positive signal,” as it “shows the two countries are willing to work to manage differences, maintain stability, and avoid crisis amid tensions.”