BEIJING - A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday urged Japan to enhance mutual trust with its neighbors and work for regional peace.

"Japan should correct its mentality, do more to enhance mutual trust with its neighbors and work for regional peace and stability, rather than act contrarily," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily press briefing.

Hong's comments came after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told European Council President Herman Van Rompuy in a telephone call on Monday that the EU should maintain its ban on arms exports to China.

"The EU's embargo on arms exports to China is neither in accordance with the development of China-EU relations, nor in line with the world tide of peace, development and cooperation," Hong said.

Hong urged the EU to take the initiative in lifting unnecessary obstacles in China-EU relations.