China’s calibrated response to Trump challenge

First came the meeting of foreign ministers of Japan, South Korea, and China in Tokyo on Saturday. It was convened by Japan, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said at the beginning of the meeting, “Given the increasingly severe international situation, I believe we may truly be at a turning point in history.”

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Iwaya also pointed out a possible trilateral summit later in the year that would focus on how to tackle falling birthrates in the three countries. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi talked of free trade agreements with its neighbors. Wang said, “Our three nations have a combined population of 1.6 billion and an economic output exceeding $24 trillion. With our vast markets and great potential, we can exert significant influence.”

On Sunday, Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, addressing the Chinese Development Forum in Beijing, said, “In today’s increasingly fragmented world with rising instability and uncertainty, it is more necessary for countries to open up their markets and enterprises... to resist risks and challenges.”