The key facts

  • Takaichi will depart on a four-day trip to the Philippines and China starting Monday
  • The APEC summit in Shenzhen on November 18–19 will discuss trade, energy resilience and AI
  • A Quad leaders' meeting in Manila is being arranged — the first since September 2024

First Visit to China Since the Deterioration

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will take part in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen on November 18–19. This will be her first visit to China since bilateral relations deteriorated over her remarks about Taiwan. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki announced the plans at a press conference, as reported by Kyodo News.

Itinerary: Philippines, Quad and Shenzhen

The four-day trip will begin on Monday. On Tuesday, Takaichi will attend the Japan–ASEAN summit in the Philippines, which this year hosts the 49th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. A meeting of the leaders of Australia, India, Japan and the United States in Manila in the Quad format is also being arranged — it would be the grouping's first summit since September 2024. The prime minister will then travel to Shenzhen, where leaders are expected to discuss regional economic issues, including trade, energy resilience and artificial intelligence.

Context of the Conflict Over Taiwan

Last year, Takaichi stated that any Chinese military action against Taiwan, including a naval blockade, could constitute a 'situation threatening survival,' which would allow Japan to 'exercise the right of collective self-defense.' In response, Beijing introduced a series of measures: recommendations to refrain from travel to Japan, restrictions on imports of Japanese seafood, and export restrictions on rare earth metals used in high-tech manufacturing. China considers Taiwan part of its territory; Taipei rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.

Last Year's Meeting with Xi Jinping

Last year, Takaichi attended the APEC summit in South Korea, where she met with PRC Chairman Xi Jinping. At the time, Xi called on Japan to observe and implement 'clear provisions on important issues' so that the foundation of China-Japan relations would 'not be damaged or shaken.' The trip to Shenzhen will be the prime minister's first personal contact with China since that period of cooling.