Looking for the reset button: Japan, China to exchange visits by corporate delegations in November

Looking for the reset button: Japan, China to exchange visits by corporate delegations in November

TOKYO — Japanese and Chinese business leaders will travel to one another’s countries in early November, with the Japanese side seeking to build momentum for resuming cabinet-level economic talks stalled since 2010.

     The Tokyo-based Japan-China Economic Association, together with the Keidanren business lobby and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, are planning the trip. Dozens of companies are expected to send representatives. The association and Keidanren had previously organized separate trips to China but will combine their visits from now on.

     They will seek meetings with Premier Li Keqiang, Vice Premier Wang Yang and other Chinese officials. Among other matters on their agenda, the corporate executives will urge Beijing to sign a treaty with Japan that spares nationals dual social security taxation.

     The Chinese corporate delegation, expected to comprise executives from 50 or so companies, is to visit Japan in mid-November. The plan is to encourage Japanese companies to work more closely with Chinese local governments and make new investments.

     Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the association, along with China’s National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Commerce, will discuss holding a public-private forum on energy and environmental issues in Japan, possibly this year. Several cabinet-level Chinese officials would be expected to attend that event.

     Japan is supposed to host the next session of high-level economic dialogue, whenever both sides agree to restart the talks. By welcoming cabinet-level Chinese officials, the Japanese side hopes to ease Beijing’s deep-set wariness toward improving bilateral relations.

(Nikkei)

Looking for the reset button: Japan, China to exchange visits by corporate delegations in November