- 14 Mar 2002
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In February, PM Kishida declined to meet former Chinese Ambassador to Japan Kong Xuanyou before the latter's departure, multiple sources have confirmed, in an unusual move that indicates the degree of strain on bilateral relations.
The former Chinese envoy to Japan, Kong Xuanyou
The former Chinese envoy to Japan, Kong Xuanyou
Several of Kong's predecessors met Japanese leaders to bid farewell. Still, the sources said Kishida broke the custom amid worsening public sentiment amid Chinese vessels' repeated entry into waters near the Tokyo-controlled Senkaku Islands and the past flights of suspected Chinese spy balloons over Japan. The request for an in-person farewell by Kong, succeeded by former Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao in March, was made to the Japanese government around January. Still, they said Tokyo declined, citing a "schedule conflict" for Kishida.
Kishida nixed China envoy farewell meeting amid strained ties
The unusual move by the prime minister to decline to meet with former Chinese Ambassador to Japan Kong Xuanyou before his departure highlighted the degree of strain on bilateral relations.
www.japantimes.co.jp