TOKYO: If Japan wants to maintain sound economic and trade relations with China, it better not stand with and fawn on the United States as Australia did amid escalating China-US diplomatic and trade tensions, Chinese experts warned. Japan was “seriously concerned” about the decision made by China’s National People’s Congress regarding policies toward Hong Kong, and recognized Hong Kong as an “extremely important partner for Japan” with economic ties and people-to-people exchanges, said a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. “Even if Japan wants to win recognition from the US in a hurry by making comments that harm China-Japan relations, it will not receive any praise from its US boss,” he added. “If Japan wants to establish a green channel with China, first of all, don’t follow the US,” he added. Eight countries — Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland — are on the list.

Source: Manila Times May 29, 2020 16:39 UTC