Japanese lawmakers visit Beijing to reopen China ties after Taiwan row

Tokyo,UPDATED: Aug 24, 2026 11:50 IST

A cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers, including a member of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's ruling party, travelled to Beijing on Monday to meet Chinese officials for the first time since ties between the two countries worsened over Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan.

Japan is seeking an opening to repair strained relations with China as tensions between the two Asian rivals have also affected the economy. The delegation is due to stay in China until Thursday.

The group includes Gaku Hashimoto of Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party, who has served as health and welfare vice minister, and one lawmaker each from the opposition Komeito and the Centrist Reform Alliance. During the visit, they are expected to meet officials of the Chinese Communist Party.

Before leaving Tokyo's Haneda airport, Shinichi Isa, a senior spokesperson for the CRA, told reporters: "Communication has been severed in all areas and we are beginning to see their impact in many areas. I hope we can somehow find a clue to restart a dialogue." Isa, who has previously served as a diplomat at the Japanese Embassy in China, wrote on X earlier this month that bilateral ties had sunk to their worst level since relations were normalised in 1972. He said officials had remained in touch even during earlier downturns, but added: "Now all channels between officials and ministries have been cut off."

Isa had also said the situation was not in the national interest of either side and that the Chinese side accepted a request from Japanese lawmakers for a "window for dialogue". Soon after taking office, Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could amount to "a survival-threatening situation" for Japan and could justify the use of force, drawing a strong reaction from Beijing. China regards Taiwan, a self-governing island, as its territory and viewed the remark as crossing a red line in its ties with other countries.

Takaichi has not withdrawn the comment, but on August 15, when Japan marked its World War II surrender, she prayed remotely instead of visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, which China and South Korea see as a symbol of Japan's lack of remorse over its wartime militarism and atrocities. The lawmakers' visit to Beijing is taking place against this backdrop, with Japan hoping to reopen dialogue and ease tensions with China.

With PTI Inputs

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