Record of Second Meeting between Foreign Minister Ohira and Foreign Minister Ji Pengfei

Meeting Foreign Minister Ohira [Masayoshi] – Foreign Minister Ji Pengfei (Records)

(1972 September 26th ~ 27th)

- Japan-China Diplomatic Normalization Negotiations Record -

Asia Bureau, China Section

[…]

(Note: The following record was typed in May 1978 from the original normalization negotiation records)

[…]

Second Meeting

September 26 17:10 ~ 18:20

Reception Hall 18

In attendance

Japan

Foreign Minister Ohira

China Section Chief Hashimoto [Hiroshi]

[Redacted]

China

Foreign Minister Ji Pengfei

Vice Foreign Minister Han Nianlong

Adviser to Foreign Ministry Zhang Xiangshan

Zhou Bin (Translator)

Jiang Peiwang (Record Keeper)

(FM Ohira) We have not yet submitted our draft of the preamble to the joint communiqué, but it was expressed that the preamble should include Japan’s basic stance towards the Three Principles raised by China. Japan is currently considering how to include this point. Additionally, although the Chinese draft for the preamble does not include it, Japan believes that it should include a point that the diplomatic normalization between Japan and China is not exclusive. This is a point that Premier Zhou [Enlai] has raised. It should be made clear that Japan-China relations will not spoil the friendly relations with countries friendly towards us and that normalization is not targeting any third country.

In any case, we will provide you with a draft preamble that includes these points during the next foreign ministers’ discussion.

We would like to raise two points regarding the main body of the joint declaration. The first is with regard to the declaration for the end to the state of war. We request your consideration of two proposals that we have created.

The first proposal: “The Government of the People’s Republic of China hereby declare the end of the state of war between China and Japan.” This would place the People’s Republic of China as the subject of the sentence. The United Nations and Germany serves as a previous example where a victorious nation unilaterally declared the end of the state of war.

The second proposal: “The Japanese Government and the People’s Republic of China hereby declare that henceforth there exists a relationship of peace between Japan and China.” This does not clarify when the state of war ended. Both parties have differing standpoints, so this wording focused on an optimistic and forward-looking attitude.

The second issue is with regard to Taiwan. We would also like your consideration regarding some options of wording that we have prepared.

Clause 2 of the Chinese draft combines the issue concerning the solely lawful government and the Taiwan issue. We propose separating the two and making the Taiwan issue a third clause: “The Government of the People’s Republic of China once more declares that Taiwan is an inseparable part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China. The Government of Japan fully understands the standpoint of the People’s Republic of China and holds to a stance based on the Potsdam Declaration.”

The above is only a draft. We request your consideration and any other ideas regarding the wording.

I want to reiterate that for the next foreign ministerial discussions we will provide Japan’s draft of the preamble that is based on the explanation I gave today.

Regarding the main text, we request your comments at the next meeting regarding the points on the end of the state of war and the ownership of the territory of Taiwan.

Third, as we continue to discuss these important points, I propose that we may each designate someone to discuss the creation of the text and other tasks.

(FM Ji) How do you propose to include the Three Principles in the preamble?

(FM Ohira) The Japanese draft separated and placed the Three Principles in the main text. We saw that the Chinese draft include the Three Principles in the preamble. It is fine if you will consider our draft. However, if not, we are currently drafting how to express and refer to the Three Principles in our draft preamble.

(FM Ji) The Chinese draft of the preamble represents the longing of both our citizens to amend the abnormal relationship that existed between Japan and China. Next, the Chinese draft touches on the past history of Japan and China and includes the Three Principles for the Restoration of Relations between Japan and China. We think that these Principles form the foundation of the normalization of relations between our two countries. Japan has also previously agreed to this, so we don’t believe that there are any significant problems. The main text of the Chinese draft includes only two of the three principles. The third, the “Japan-Taiwan Treaty,” is not dealt with in the preamble because in the preamble Japan signifies its understanding of the Three Principles in entirety. It will not be possible to treat them separately, but not mention the “Japan-Taiwan Treaty.”

The preamble emphasizes the points that Japan and China will interact in a friendly and peaceful manner after normalization, despite having differing social systems. Finally, the preamble also values the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China as something that will lead to the easing of tensions and world peace.

Furthermore, the Chinese draft to the preamble was written as a based on consultations with Mr. Yoshii.

We will next explain the main text.

With regard to clause one that deals with the cessation to the state of war, we will reconsider the wording based on the draft submitted by Japan. However, it is important that the timing for the end of the state of war is on “the day that this declaration is made.” Therefore, it also indicates that it is from that time that the other clauses of the main text come into effect. For example, presumably, Japan will recognize the People’s Republic of China as the solely lawful government of China from that day. I am sure Japan would be placed in a difficult situation if it were told to recognize the People’s Republic of China from today onward.

With regard to the second clause, we want to ask why you used the Potsdam Declaration, as opposed to the Cairo Declaration suggested in the Chinese draft.

(FM Ohira) It is because Japan acceded to the Potsdam Declaration, not the Cairo Declaration.

(FM Ji) We will reconsider this point.

We think that the wording “Japan-China relations is not exclusive, and that it is not aimed at a third country” should be placed in the sixth clause, rather than the preamble.

(FM Ohira) We are not particular about this.

(FM Ji) Today, we received two drafts from Japan regarding the cessation of the state of war, but China places particular importance on the issue of timing. This is an issue that must be somehow resolved.

(FM Ohira) Japan would like to organize a standpoint that we can defend domestically.

(FM Ji) Let us think of a good solution, as Premier Zhou has already made clear that he fully understands that Japan will find difficulty regarding this point.

We would like to ask if you have any other requests.

(FM Ohira) This is not an issue of substance, but while you and I discuss issues of great importance, I would like for each of us to assign someone to work together to start drafting wording for issues that we have already reached a fundamental agreement on.

(FM Ji) Who will you assign?

(FM Ohira) We are thinking about the Asia Bureau Chief, the Treaties Bureau Chief, China Section Chief Hashimoto, Treaties Section Chief Kuriyama [Shoichi], the translator, and the record keeper.

(FM Ji) I would like to inform you at a later date as to who will represent the Chinese delegation. However, I propose that these eight should convene and draft the communiqué together, as it would take too long to separately produce and submit different drafts for each issue. We will discuss those issues that these eight cannot resolve.

(FM Ohira) Let us do that. As we were appointed by our respective premiers, I want for us to resolve as many issues as possible without bothering them.

(FM Ji) That is fine.