Japan, China officials to meet on UN reform
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-22 19:34

While there is widespread support for expanding the council to reflect changes since the U.N. founding 60 years ago, there is no agreement on how large it should be, who should get seats, whether new seats should be permanent or temporary, and who should have veto power.

Relations between Japan and China have deteriorated rapidly in recent years, and the two countries are feuding over interpretations of World War II, exploitation of maritime resources and territorial claims.

The tensions over the past few years have blocked a full-fledged summit between Japanese and Chinese leaders since 2001, and China recently scuttled an expected meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the East Asia Summit in Malaysia.

Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Aso on Thursday said at a press conference that China's expanding military budget represents a danger and is fueling suspicion among other nations.