Abe, Xi agree on early Japan-China-S. Korea summit

November 12, 2017

Da Nang, Vietnam- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed Saturday to realize a trilateral summit among their countries plus South Korea as early as possible. Meeting in Danang, central Vietnam, Abe and Xi also reaffirmed cooperation to apply greater pressure on North Korea, which continues nuclear and ballistic missile development.

The Japanese government is aiming to hold the trilateral summit in Japan within this year.

At the beginning of the bilateral summit, Xi said that China and Japan still have a lot to do to improve their relations, adding that he wants to make positive development.

Abe stressed that Japan aims to promote efforts to improve bilateral ties toward the 40th anniversary next year of the conclusion of the Japan-China peace and friendship treaty.

Abe proposed his visit to China at an appropriate time next year while asking Xi to visit Japan at the earliest possible time. Xi said that he attaches importance to mutual visits by the two countries' leaders and that his meeting with Abe on Saturday marks a new start of China-Japan relations, according to Abe.

Meanwhile, the two leaders agreed that Tokyo and Beijing will accelerate talks for the early launch of operations of an air and maritime liaison mechanism aimed at preventing accidental clashes between the two nations in the East China Sea.

In reference to history issues between China and Japan, Xi told Abe that the two nations need to appropriately control the difference between their positions in a constructive manner, according to Chinese sources.

Abe said that the entire international community should maximize pressure on North Korea, calling on China, an ally of Pyongyang, to work harder over issues related to the reclusive state.

Abe and Xi confirmed close cooperation for the full implementation of UN Security Council sanctions resolutions against North Korea.

On the economic front, Abe proposed cooperation between Japanese and Chinese companies in third countries.

Abe and Xi agreed to promote discussions on how the two countries can contribute to regional prosperity, including through China's "One Belt, One Road" development program for countries along the old Silk Road.

The Abe-Xi meeting was the first since they met in Hamburg, Germany, in early July on the sidelines of a summit of the Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies. It was also the first meeting between the two leaders since Xi started his second term at the Communist Party of China's 19th National Congress in October. Jiji Press