A senior Japanese diplomat departed China’s Foreign Ministry on Monday without making any public comments following talks over remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan region.

Masaki Kanai, director-general of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau at Japan’s Foreign Ministry, began his visit to China on Sunday, according to China Central Television. Japanese media reported that discussions during his trip would focus on Takaichi’s recent comments regarding Taiwan, which Beijing has strongly criticized.

Kanai met earlier in the day with Liu Jinsong, director-general of the Department of Asian Affairs at China’s Foreign Ministry. At around 2 p.m., Kanai and his delegation were seen leaving the ministry. When approached by reporters, he offered no comment on the meeting or the ongoing consultations.