Japanese, Chinese Field Officers Hold First Online Meeting Organized by Sasakawa Peace Foundation (2)
The online meeting was joined by 14 SDF field officers and senior officials of Japan’s Ministry of Defense and 14 PLA officers and officials of the Office for International Military Cooperation, the Central Military Commission of the Chinese Communist Party. With additional personnel from both sides included, some 40 people took part in all.
In their opening remarks, Mr. Itsu Adachi, executive director of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and Mr. Du Nongy, vice chairman of the China Institute for International Strategic Studies, a think-tank with links to the Chinese military, both looked back on the track record of the exchange program and confirmed the importance of continuing the interactions between officers of the two countries.
They were followed by the heads of both delegations, Mr. Taro Yamato, deputy director-general of the Japanese Ministry of Defense’s Bureau of Defense Policy, and Major General Song Yanchao, deputy chief of the Office for International Military Cooperation of the Chinese Central Military Commission.
They both welcomed the successful holding of the online meeting, which they said will contribute to promoting mutual understanding and building trust between Japanese and Chinese defense officials in the interest of stable relations between the two countries.
On unconventional national security threats, the main theme of the session, both sides briefed each other on the roles that the SDF and PLA play in coping with the novel coronavirus pandemic and natural disasters. They also exchanged views on their respective systems of nurturing human resources and this was followed by a lively Q&A session.
From what I understand, the first online meeting was appreciated by all participants, but I hope they will be able to resume mutual visits in person, once the COVID-19 pandemic is contained.
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