Japanese and Chinese ministers talk on new hotline designed to ease tensions

Japan’s Yasukazu Hamada spoke to his Chinese counterpart as the two countries inaugurated their long-awaited defence hotline (Takashi Aoyama/Pool Photo via AP, File)

The Japanese and Chinese defence ministers inaugurated their long-awaited hotline on Tuesday as a step to build trust and improve communication at a time when Japan and other neighbours are concerned about Beijing’s increasingly assertive military activities.

Japan’s defence minister, Yasukazu Hamada, and his Chinese counterpart, Li Shangfu, talked for about 20 minutes on the hotline for the first time since it was established on March 31, the Japanese defence ministry said.