China, Japan ink 24 deals on energy cooperation

China and Japan have signed dozens of cooperation agreements in different fields during an event in the capital, Beijing, raising speculations that a deepening trade dispute between the US and Tokyo is pushing Asia’s third-biggest economy toward China.

Officials from the two sides inked cooperation agreements for 24 projects in areas including, energy conservation, new energy development, and pollution control, Xinhua reported.

Smart city development and ways to tackle climate change were also among the areas of cooperation that were agreed upon.

The agreements were signed during a forum on bilateral cooperation in energy conservation and environmental protection.

According to head of the National Development and Reform Commission He Lifeng, the event — first held in 2006 — has played a crucial role in advancing economic and technological exchanges and pragmatic cooperation between the two countries.

He said that Beijing welcomed foreign companies, including Japanese firms, to invest and do business in China.

Abe, who became the first premier visiting China since December 2011, was accompanied by delegates from 500 Japanese companies, including giant carmakers like Toyota, which hope to see normalized ties with China.

The Japanese premier said at the time that relations with China were at an “historic turning point” and that he expected new possibilities in areas such as infrastructure, logistics, healthcare, and finance.

The thaw in relations coincides with a deepening trade dispute initiated by the US against China, with both imposing reciprocal tariffs on each other’s products.

SS