India, July 27 -- Relations between China and Japan plumbed new depths of friction as the two governments offered diametrically opposed narratives over whether their respective foreign ministers interacted on the sidelines of regional security summits in the Philippines.

The public contradiction has laid bare a profound diplomatic freeze that continues to strain bilateral channels across multiple fronts.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi asserted to reporters last week that he had briefly exchanged words with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, when their paths crossed during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations gatherings in Manila. According to Motegi's public statements, the impromptu exchange touched broadly upon bilat...