Now to Tokyo, where Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Wang stressed the importance of free trade and said a meeting between the leaders of China, Japan and South Korea was likely to be held next month in Japan.

WANG YI CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER "Trade protectionism is rising and as a result, the framework of free trade is under threat. The rise of unilateralism is challenging the basic international rules. We have relative stability in our region and we need to appreciate that. The relationship between China and Japan should be part of this positive trend of peace and security. I believe both parties need to push for wider improvements from a longer-term perspective."

Wang is the first Chinese foreign minister to visit Japan in a bilateral context in nine years. Earlier, Wang co-chaired high level economic talks with his Japanese counterpart - the first since 2010. They agreed to continue to improve relations. Taro Kono also said Japan may work with China on projects under the Belt and Road Initiative.