For The First Time In Four Years China And Japan Hold Security Talks

Japanese deputy foreign minister Shigeo Yamada, second from right, speaks to Chinese vice foreign minister Sun Weidong, second left, during the Japan-China security dialogue on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, in Tokyo [Shuji Kajiyama/pool via Reuters 

CNBC/Reuters: China and Japan square off over arms and balloons at first security talks in four years 

China said it was troubled by Japan’s military build up and Tokyo took aim at Beijing’s military ties to Russia and its suspected use of spy balloons during the Asian powers’ first formal security talks in four years on Wednesday. 

The talks, aimed at easing tensions between the world’s second- and third-largest economies, come as Tokyo worries that Beijing will resort to force to take control of Taiwan in the wake of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, sparking a conflict that could embroil Japan and disrupt global trade. 

Japan in December said it would double defense spending over the next five years to 2% of gross domestic product — a total of $320 billion — to deter China from resorting to military action. Beijing, which increased defense spending by 7.1% last year, spends more than four times as much as Japan on its forces.  

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Update #1: China and Japan meet for formal security talks to stabilise tensions (The Guardian)  

Update #2: China, Japan hold first security talks in four years (Al Jazeera)  

WNU Editor: I expected these talks to deal with territorial issues. But China's focus was on this .... China spells out concern over Japan’s semiconductor controls, asks for fair and predictable business environment (SCMP).