After a 4-year hiatus, the security talks between Beijing and Tokyo have resumed

A security dialogue brings together the foreign and defense ministries of China and Japan for the first time in 4 years, and aims to restore stability in bilateral relations after exchanging accusations about increasing military activities.

China and Japan began a security dialogue for the first time in 4 years, on Wednesday, with the aim of restoring stability in bilateral relations after exchanging accusations about increasing military activities.

The previous meeting of the security dialogue between the two countries was held in the Chinese capital, Beijing, in February 2019.

Senior officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense of both countries met in the Japanese capital, Tokyo, after the latter claimed last week that it had detected a Chinese object suspected of flying near its airspace during previous years.

Tokyo, a close ally of Washington, made the claim after the United States shot down a Chinese balloon on February 4, reigniting tensions between the two countries.

During the meeting, Japanese First Deputy Foreign Minister Shigeo Yamada expressed concern about suspected Chinese spy balloons and Beijing's extensive military activities, including cooperation with Russia, according to the Japanese "Kyodo" agency.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong also warned Japan against taking "negative steps" towards Taiwan "in collusion with forces outside the region," referring to the updated version of Japan's national security strategy to strengthen its alliance with the United States, according to the same agency.

Japan last year allowed its armed forces to acquire what it referred to as "counterattack capability" as part of its updated national security strategy.

The new Japanese security strategy views China as the "biggest strategic challenge," and describes North Korea as "an imminent and more dangerous threat than before," while Russia sees it as "a serious security concern."

Beijing and Tokyo dispute the uninhabited Senkaku Islands, which, although under Japanese control, are claimed by China and called "Diaoyu".