Japan, China arranging two-way summit for June 27

June 18, 2019

Tokyo--The Japanese and Chinese governments are making arrangements to hold a bilateral summit on June 27, the day before a two-day Group of 20 leaders' meeting kicks off in the western Japan city of Osaka, informed sources said Tuesday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is slated to pay his first presidential visit to Japan, to attend the G-20 summit on June 28-29.

Prior to the G-20 gathering, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hopes to have talks with Xi on trade issues, at a time when U.S.-China trade friction is overshadowing the global economy, the sources said.

Abe and Xi are also expected to discuss ways to achieve the denuclearization of North Korea and resolve the issue of Japanese abductees in the reclusive country, after the president visits North Korea for two days from Thursday.

The Abe-Xi meeting's agenda may also include Xi's possible second visit to Japan, as a state guest, as well as a China visit by Abe to attend a Japan-China-South Korea summit later this year, the sources said. Jiji Press