Chinese and Japanese defense ministers first communicated via this tool, Tokyo immediately mentioned the East China Sea issue

On May 16, the defense ministers of China and Japan made their first phone call via the newly established military hotline.

Japanese Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu (left) and his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu had a 20-minute hotline call on May 16. (Source: AP)

The Japanese Ministry of Defense issued a separate statement saying that the phone call between Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu and his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu lasted about 20 minutes.

Mr. Hamada “mentioned security concerns between Japan and China, such as the situation in the East China Sea” and stressed the need for “frank exchanges, especially when concerns about Japan-China relations arise.”

The two sides affirmed that the new communication mechanism will play “an important role in promoting trust between the defense agencies of Japan and China and avoiding unexpected situations” and that the hotline will be operated “in an appropriate and reliable manner”.

Earlier, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense issued a statement confirming that the two sides "exchanged views on bilateral relations and defense."

The Japan-China military hotline, established in March under the defense communication mechanism, will “enrich the effectiveness” of bilateral interactions, “enhance the two sides’ capabilities to manage and control crises at sea and in the air, and contribute to maintaining regional peace and stability.”

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