Ministers emphasize improving relations

Both China and Japan are obliged to defend multilateralism and the system of international trade, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said last month.

He made the remarks on Sept 27, when meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly’s 73rd session.

During the meeting, Wang said that as important neighbors and major economies, China and Japan should be jointly committed to multilateralism, maintaining the international trading system and safeguarding international laws and rules.

China is willing to expand mutually beneficial cooperation with Japan in such areas as the economy and trade, finance and innovation, and increased exchanges between young people and local governments, Wang said.

He added that the two countries have been engaged in a large number of active interactions for some time, and that they should value and protect such a hard-won momentum, seek common ground and manage disputes, so as to secure a stable and healthy bilateral relationship.

Kono said it is bliss to see bilateral ties return to normal.

The two countries share key responsibilities for regional peace and stability, and the significance of improving bilateral ties exceeds the bilateral scope, he said.

Japan is ready to work with China to strengthen collaboration in various fields, properly handle disputes, and further develop bilateral ties, he said, adding that Japan hopes to enhance exchanges with China on international and regional issues.