China, Japan to cooperate in reviving virus-hit economies

TOKYO (AP) — The foreign ministers of Japan and China agreed Tuesday to cooperate in fighting the coronavirus and reviving their pandemic-hit economies, while trying to avoid actions that provoke tensions over disputed islands in the East China Sea.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday, and his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi, also agreed to resume business travel between the world’s No. 2 and No. 3 economies through a “business track” program that will allow visitors to engage in limited activities during their 14-day quarantine periods. Japan recently launched such arrangements with Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam.

The two countries are to restart business travel by the end of this month, even though Japan is currently grappling with a resurgence of coronavirus infections as the government struggles to balance disease prevention and economic health.

“I expect the agreement will contribute to energizing the economy between Japan and China and serve to promote mutual understanding,” Motegi said. He said stable Japan-China relations are crucial not only for the two countries but also for the region.

Chinese nationals topped the number of foreign visitors in Japan before the pandemic.

Relations between the two countries have been strained over territorial disputes and wartime history. But ties have improved in recent years while China’s trade dispute with the U.S. has escalated. Japan, a key U.S. ally, sees China as a crucial trading partner and faces the challenge of balancing its relations with both nations.

On Tuesday, Japan and China agreed to work together on climate change, energy conservation, healthcare and digital commerce as part of their economic cooperation. They agreed to support a rule-based...