Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will travel to Shenzhen next week for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ meeting, marking her first visit to China since taking office, Stheadline reported.
The APEC economic leaders' meeting is scheduled to take place from November 18 to 19 in Shenzhen, China. Japanese officials are seeking assurances from Beijing that Prime Minister Takaichi will receive treatment equal to that of other world leaders during the summit, as reported by Sing Tao Daily Canada. If there are any unusual arrangements during the APEC leaders' meeting, Japanese officials have stated that the Japanese government will lodge a protest.
Senior Eurasia Group analyst and former U.S. diplomat Jeremy Chan noted that Beijing's verbal attacks over the past year have grown more personal and focused specifically on Takaichi, which elevates the likelihood that China might use the APEC venue to humiliate her by curtailing her treatment or criticizing Japan.
Bilateral relations deteriorated following Takaichi’s parliamentary remarks in November 2025 regarding Taiwan. During a budget committee session on November 7, 2025, Takaichi stated that a contingency involving Taiwan could constitute a survival-threatening situation
allowing Japan to exercise collective self-defense. Japanese officials expect Chinese President Xi Jinping to at least follow protocol by shaking hands with Takaichi, though a formal bilateral meeting is considered unlikely.
Despite diplomatic friction and export controls on critical minerals, bilateral trade data demonstrates continued economic exchange. Total trade between Japan and China increased by 17 percent compared to the previous year, driven by artificial intelligence and data center infrastructure demands.
Japanese enterprises continue to maintain a strong presence in the Chinese market, participating heavily in events such as the China International Import Expo in Shanghai.
Japan’s House of Representatives Committee on Rules and Administration approved Takaichi’s travel schedule from November 16 to 19. Takaichi will first stop in Manila to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit before traveling to Shenzhen.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang will also attend the ASEAN summit and could potentially meet with Takaichi, who, as head of government, shares a counterpart level with Premier Li rather than President Xi Jinping, given that Japan’s emperor serves as nominal head of state without actual political decision-making powers.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin plan to hold a meeting with Xi Jinping during APEC, creating potential diplomatic complexities for Tokyo.
- What are the exact dates of the APEC summit in Shenzhen? The APEC economic leaders’ meeting takes place on November 18 and 19, 2026.
- How has bilateral trade performed despite diplomatic tensions? Bilateral trade increased by 17 percent from January to September compared to the previous year, supported by artificial intelligence and data center development.
- What is Prime Minister Takaichi’s travel itinerary next week? Takaichi will attend the ASEAN summit in Manila before flying to Shenzhen for the APEC meetings between November 16 and 19, as approved by the House of Representatives Committee on Rules and Administration.