The Daily Manila Shimbun

 

Japan, China Agree to Keep Momentum for Better Relations

August 30, 2018



Beijing- Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Takeo Akiba and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed on Wednesday that the two countries will make efforts to keep the momentum for improving the bilateral relationship.

They reached the accord at a meeting in Beijing, noting that the momentum was created through Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Japan in May.

Akiba and Wang, who doubles as state councilor, also discussed issues related to an expected Japan-China summit that may be held in the Russian Far East city of Vladivostok in mid-September and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's possible visit to China in October.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang told Akiba that with this year making the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of the China-Japan peace and friendship treaty, the two countries will be able to draw a blueprint for the stable development of their relationship toward the future.

Also on Wednesday, Akiba held a separate meeting with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng.

Over the Akiba-Wang talks, the Chinese ministry demanded that the Sankei Shimbun, a Japanese daily, be excluded from the pool coverage at the beginning of the meeting.

Japanese media organizations covering the event rejected the demand and boycotted the pool coverage. At his meeting with Le, Akiba protested against the ministry's move and asked the Chinese side not to make any such demand again. Jiji Press