Japan's Kyodo News reported on Thursday (December 26) that the Japanese and Chinese governments have been discussing the plans for Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Japan in February next year. If the plans are realized, it would be Wang's first visit to Japan since November 2020.
The news agency quoted multiple Japanese diplomatic sources as saying that plans to escort Wang's visit with the revival of the six-year hiatus of the Japan-China Economic High-Level Dialogue are being explored. During his visit, Wang Yi is expected to meet with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and potentially with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as well.
The report stated that the Japanese government had already inquired about the visit during the Chinese New Year's holiday in February and had informed China that the Japan-China Korea trilateral foreign ministers' meeting will be held in late February. South Korea is likely to express its agreement to attend.
China is seeking to hold a meeting between the foreign ministers of Japan and China before the trilateral foreign ministers' meeting. Japanese newspaper reported that the Chinese side is currently reviewing the preparation for the meeting and expressed optimism about its prospect.