China, Japan eye closer cooperation, communication as FMs meet

TOKYO -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met here Monday with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, with both sides agreeing to boost cooperation and communication to build bilateral relations that meet the requirements of the new era.

Wang said that with the political guidance of the two leaders and joint efforts of both sides, China-Japan relations have returned to the right track and have seen a sound momentum of improvement and development. The top leaders of the two countries had reached important consensus on building bilateral relations that meet the requirements of the new era.

The two sides should meet each other halfway, maintain close communication, enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation and properly handle such sensitive issues as history and Taiwan, Wang said.

It is hoped and believed that with the joint efforts of both sides, the major political and diplomatic agenda of the two countries on the next stage will become a milestone for the long-term, sound and stable development of China-Japan relations, he added.

Wang pointed out that in the face of uncertainties in the international situation and the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, China and Japan, as the world's second and third largest economies, should work together to safeguard multilateralism, uphold the multilateral trading system, maintain the international system with the United Nations at its core, and reject any bullying acts that violate international law.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of China-Japan-ROK (Republic of Korea) cooperation. China is ready to work with Japan and the ROK to make this year's leaders' meeting a success and upgrade the level of cooperation, Wang said.

He noted that China and Japan should also enhance communication and coordination on major international and regional issues, which will not only promote the development of bilateral relations, but also inject more stability into world peace and stability.

Wang said after the meeting that China and Japan should jointly push forward regional cooperation, and sign the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership at an early date. China also hopes to speed up the negotiation on China-Japan-ROK free trade agreement, so as to facilitate Asia's economic integration.

Motegi, for his part, said that the steady development of Japan-China relations is indispensable to regional peace and prosperity, and is of great positive significance in dealing with the current international situation full of turbulence. Japan is looking forward to President Xi Jinping's state visit next spring.

Japan is ready to work with China to promote economic and technological cooperation with an open mind, creating a fair and equitable business environment for companies of the two countries, he said.

He called on the two sides to strengthen cultural, educational and other exchanges, constantly improve the feelings between the two peoples, enhance mutual trust and cooperation in the security field and properly manage differences and sensitive issues. Meanwhile, Japan is ready to conduct constructive cooperation with China on boosting China-Japan-ROK cooperation, said Motegi.