Chinese Vice-Minister Assures Safety of Japanese Citizens and Businesses in China

Chinese Vice-Minister of Commerce Ling Ji addressed concerns about the safety of Japanese citizens and businesses in China during a foreign investment policy briefing in Tokyo. He emphasized that isolated incidents involving Japanese nationals should not be misconstrued as security threats.

Ling acknowledged the tragic incidents in June and September 2024, where a Chinese citizen and a 10-year-old Japanese boy lost their lives in separate attacks. He expressed deep regret and sorrow for these events and assured that both cases have been adjudicated and verdicts announced.

He stressed that China is a country governed by the rule of law and will not tolerate illegal or violent acts. He highlighted China's low crime rate and gun violence, ranking it among the safest countries globally.

Addressing concerns raised by a Japanese business representative, Ling outlined the upgraded security measures implemented for key locations frequented by foreign nationals, including embassies, businesses, schools, and tourist attractions. These measures include increased patrols, fixed-point monitoring, and enhanced police presence.

Furthermore, China has improved its response to incidents involving foreign nationals, ensuring prompt handling of emergency calls and assistance requests. Multilingual support, swift identification of security risks, and adherence to regulations for handling foreign-related cases are key aspects of this improved response.

Ling emphasized that the previously mentioned incidents should not be used to question China's business environment. He reiterated China's commitment to handling such cases appropriately and strengthening the protection of foreign nationals' personal and property safety.