Experts urge Japan, China to fully improve ties

December 18, 2017

Beijing- A forum comprising of experts from Japan and China ended its two-day meeting in Beijing on Sunday by issuing a statement on a package of proposals, including a call for the two countries to fully improve their relations.

The next step for Japan and China should be to fully improve their relationship by holding a high level of sense of historical mission and political responsibility, said the document, dubbed "Beijing consensus," which was adopted at the 13th session of the Tokyo-Beijing Forum.

At a press conference after the meeting, former U.N. Undersecretary-General Yasushi Akashi, a senior Japanese member, called on leaders of Japan and China to promote visits to each other's country.

Akashi said that he wants Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Japan as early as possible next year so that the two nations will be able to develop friendly ties that are mutually beneficial.

The package also called on Tokyo and Beijing to consider cooperation on China's "One Belt, One Road" development initiative for countries along the old Silk Road and make efforts to resolve problems related to North Korea through peaceful means. Jiji Press