Chinese Premier Calls for Sound Ties with Japan

July 25, 2018

Beijing- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called for developing sound relations with Japan at a meeting with Japanese House of Representatives Speaker Tadamori Oshima on Tuesday.

Visiting Oshima asked for Chinese cooperation to realize a trip by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to China within this year and a subsequent visit to Japan by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China hopes that the two countries, while taking history as a mirror, will build up bilateral relations that will develop soundly toward the future, Li said, describing such relations as a condition needed for high-level reciprocal visits.

The premier also expressed sympathy for those affected by the torrential rain that mainly hit western Japan early this month.

Oshima also met with Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. Li is the third-ranking official of the Communist Party of China, after the president and the premier.

The development of the bilateral ties benefits both countries, the chairman said.

This year, the two countries will mark the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of their peace and friendship treaty.

Oshima is visiting China at the invitation of the National People's Congress.

He will return home on Friday. Jiji Press