On Sept. 30, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Kong Xuanyou published an article on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo, describing China’s view of its relationships with Japan and the U.S. On the Suga administration, the ambassador wrote: “China looks forward to building a relationship befitting a new era.”

Ambassador Kong expressed concern that Japanese public opinion on China has become politicized and more emotional. He pointed out that “the promotion of the bilateral relationship has been hindered by concerns over security issues,” and called for “more robust discussion and engagement on defense issues.”

As for the Senkakus (Ishigaki, Okinawa), the ambassador said the issue is only “a single aspect of” the Japan-China relationship, stressing that China is refraining from “making a big noise about the activities of Japanese government vessels.” The ambassador also commented on a telephone conversation between the leaders of the two nations, which took place on Sept. 25, saying, “The importance of our bilateral relationship has been abundantly expressed,” thereby reiterating hopes for improved relations.

With regard to the U.S.-China relationship, Ambassador Kong said, “China has not initiated any dispute” that has contributed to the deterioration of the bilateral relationship. The ambassador requested Japan not follow the U.S. lead in restricting Chinese firms, as in the case of the major Chinese telecommunication company, Huawei. In the article, he attempted to blunt criticism of the Chinese government’s decision to apply Hong Kong security law to foreign nationals living overseas. He said this kind of application of the law is “a practice widely shared in criminal law of many countries.”