In February 2020, the spread of the novel coronavirus made the planned early-April state visit to Japan by Chinese President Xi Jinping uncertain. Based on a Sankei Shimbun article, this piece examines the diplomatic war of nerves between Japan and China, China’s concern for face, Japan’s calculations, and the state-guest treatment including an audience with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress.

February 26, 2020
There is a view that China “must want Japan to say, ‘Please do not overexert yourself,’” but there is also concern that China could use it by saying, “Japan was the one that brought up the postponement” (a senior Foreign Ministry official).
The following is from yesterday’s Sankei Shimbun.
A War of Nerves over Xi’s Visit to Japan
Neither Japan nor China Can Bring Up Postponement
As the spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes pneumonia, has made the schedule for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Japan, being arranged for early April, uncertain, both Japan and China have maintained the stance that they will “proceed with preparations as scheduled.”
With Chinese pride that does not want to bring up “postponement” by itself intertwined with Japan’s own calculations, the situation has taken on the appearance of a “war of nerves,” with both sides watching each other’s moves until the last moment.
“Several preparatory meetings and the like have been postponed, so it is necessary to accelerate preparations.”
At a press conference on the 21st, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi acknowledged that the spread of the novel coronavirus was affecting preparations, while repeatedly indicating that there was no change in the schedule.
At a meeting in Germany on the 15th, Japan time the 16th, with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Motegi showed enthusiasm, saying he “definitely wanted to realize” Xi’s visit to Japan.
A senior Foreign Ministry official said, “Mr. Wang also showed confidence in the end of the infection.”
If the Chinese side were to propose postponing Xi’s visit to Japan, it could give the impression that it cannot suppress the spread of infection.
The visit to Japan would become a staged “declaration of the end,” and the Japanese side sees that “China will try to realize the visit as scheduled, staking its face on it” (a government source).
The fact that Yang Jiechi, a member of the Communist Party Politburo and China’s top foreign affairs official, is scheduled to visit Japan on the 28th and 29th of this month also appears to be aimed not only at preparing for Xi’s visit, but also at showing that prospects for containment are beginning to emerge by having a senior government official go overseas.
On the other hand, the Japanese side has shown no sign of proposing a “postponement” either.
A government source expressed the view that China “must want Japan to say, ‘Please do not overexert yourself,’” but there is also concern that China could use it by saying, “Japan was the one that brought up the postponement” (a senior Foreign Ministry official).
Since the beginning of the Reiwa era, Xi would be the second state guest after U.S. President Trump in May of last year.
He would be invited to an audience with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and to an Imperial Palace banquet, and it is said that “it would also be a grand stage for the Chinese president” (a Japanese government source).
Taking into account the schedules of Their Majesties and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Japanese side has conveyed candidate dates to the Chinese side, but the situation is that “no answer has yet come” (a senior Foreign Ministry official).
(Takaki Rikitake)