Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Thursday agreed to push forward the negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), as participating countries aim to reach the trade pact by the end of this year.

Wang also said China and Japan are large global economies and neighboring countries, and China hopes Japan could follow the four political documents, the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, take history as a mirror and look into the future.

On his side, Motegi said the two countries should properly settle disputes and further strengthen high-level exchanges and deepen cooperation.

The two also agreed to expand their market cooperation.

On the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Chinese foreign minister also met Malawian Foreign Minister Francis Kasaila.

Both sides agreed to deepen their cooperation and elevate bilateral ties. Wang Yi said China is ready to work with Malawi on the consensus reached by the two heads of state last year at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Kasaila said China's development also brings benefits to the Malawian people, and his country looks forward to deepening ties with China and welcomes more Chinese business investment.

On the same day, Wang also met with Nayib Bukele, president of El Salvador, with both agreeing to ramp up efforts in preserving bilateral ties.

The establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries are independent wills by us two, said Wang, vowing to further open up the Chinese market and bring more products from El Salvador in.

Bukele echoed Wang's remarks, adding that he hopes to more practical cooperative achievements to be made in the upcoming years, so as to benefit the people from both sides.

He also hopes to expand cooperation with China in high-tech industries including internet economy.

On Thursday, Wang also spoke with Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

China and the UAE should further deepen strategic dialogues as the international situation turned more complicated day by day, said Wang. He hoped to see more coordination from the two nations in the future's dealing with global issues.

Sheikh Abdullah first delivered greetings to Chinese officials on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi of the country, sending appreciation to the high-level reception during the crown prince's recent visit in late July.

The minister spoke highly of the relationship between his own country and China, vowing to work with the Asian country in countering terrorism and extremism to preserve regional peace and stability.

(Cover: The 7th RCEP Ministerial Meeting was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on September 8, 2019. /VCG Photo)