Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with former House of Representatives speaker Yohei Kono, who is visiting Beijing with a Japan-China friendship group, and expressed his intention to strengthen economic ties between the two countries, while expressing concern about Japan's measures to tighten export controls on advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment from the end of this month.
Premier Li Qiang, who is second in the Chinese Communist Party and is said to have close ties to President Xi Jinping, met with about 2 people in Beijing on May 5, including members of the Association for the Promotion of Japan and International Trade, a friendship group chaired by former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yohei Kono.
According to the secretariat of the group, Prime Minister Lee expressed his intention to strengthen economic ties, saying, "The two countries should unite and overcome difficulties together."
As the momentum of economic recovery slows in China, it seems that China is aiming to attract investment from Japanese companies.
On the other hand, referring to the Japan's measures to tighten export controls on advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment from the 80rd of this month, he expressed concern that "it will hinder the world economy, and China's development will not pose a risk such as Japan."
In response, former Chairman Kono said that bearing in mind the revised "Anti-Espionage Law" that came into effect on January 23 and the detention of expatriates of major pharmaceutical companies by the Chinese authorities, "I would like to ask you not to lower the motivation of those who want to engage in economic exchanges with China," and called for a response.
Governor of Okinawa Prefecture "It was meaningful to receive an answer by promoting regional exchanges"
Governor Tamaki of Okinawa Prefecture told reporters after his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on May 5 that he hoped that active exchanges would be restored as soon as possible and that the two countries and regions would develop in a mutually beneficial manner, and that he had requested the resumption of flights between Okinawa and China, which have been suspended due to the effects of the new coronavirus, and the simplification of visa procedures when visiting China from Japan.
In response, Prime Minister Lee replied that he would like to improve the environment by instructing airlines and related departments, and Governor Tamaki said, "It was very meaningful in the sense that we received an answer from Okinawa Prefecture about promoting various regional exchanges."