Japan’s Emperor Meets China’s Li

May 10, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese Emperor Akihito met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Thursday.

The Emperor and Li shook hands when the Chinese premier arrived at the palace. Li told the Emperor that it was an honor to meet him.

In response, the Emperor said, "He hopes that Japan and China will further boost their relations of friendship and goodwill," according to the Imperial Household Agency.

The two then spoke through an interpreter for some 20 minutes.

The Emperor recalled his 1992 trip to China, saying that he remembers fondly the warm welcome he received from people there.

Li replied that the Chinese people still remember the Emperor's visit very well, as it was an extremely important event for bilateral ties.

The Emperor expressed gratitude to Li over China's plan to give Japan a pair of crested ibises as a symbol of improved ties. The Emperor said the crested ibis once became extinct in Japan.

It was the Emperor's first meeting with a senior Chinese official since June 2010, when he met with Li's predecessor, Wen Jiabao.

Li met separately with the heads of both chambers of Japan's parliament.

Tadamori Oshima, speaker of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber, highly evaluated the outcome of Wednesday's meeting between Li and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Oshima told Li that the talks were very timely and provided a sense of security and assurance to Asia and the world.

Li said that he deeply felt the willingness of various circles in Japan to improve and develop Japan-China relations and to eventually elevate the ties to a new stage. Jiji Press