Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada and his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu on Tuesday held their first conversation on a direct telephone line, launching a hotline between the two countries’ defense authorities, Japan’s Defense Ministry said.
During their 20-minute conversation, Hamada and Li welcomed the start of the operational use of the hotline, which was established on March 31, the ministry said in press release.
The two ministers confirmed that the “Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism between the Japan-China Defense Authorities,” which includes the hotline, plays an important role in fostering trust between Japanese and Chinese defense authorities as well as avoiding contingencies, it said.
While noting that the hotline will be operated “appropriately and reliably,” they also agreed to continue communication between their defense authorities.
Pointing out the existence of security concerns between Japan and China, such as the situation in the East China Sea, and Hamada said, “It is necessary to have candid communication especially when there are concerns about Japan-China relations.”
Source: Kuwait News Agency