Senior Chinese Communist Party Official to Visit Japan in Oct.

August 21, 2018

Beijing- Song Tao, head of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee, said Monday that he plans to visit Japan in October to attend a meeting of ruling party lawmakers from the two countries.

The remark was made during talks in Beijing with a suprapartisan group of young Japanese lawmakers, including Kiyohiko Toyama, a member of Komeito, an ally in Japan's ruling coalition.

Song expressed his eagerness to realize a visit by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to China this year followed by a trip to Japan by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Japanese lawmakers also held talks with You Quan, head of the United Front Work Department of the Chinese party's Central Committee.

The Chinese side is trying to keep the momentum toward improved relations with Japan, Toyama told a press conference after the talks. Jiji Press