Chinese Premier: China-Japan ties maintained sound momentum for improvement

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono later Sunday. Currently, China-Japan ties had maintained sound momentum for improvement, he said.

"We have noticed recent positive comments of the Japanese side on relations with China," Li told the top Japanese diplomat.

"However, China-Japan relations are still confronted with uncertainties," Li added.

Li urged both sides to cherish the sound momentum for improvement of ties.

"China-Japan relations are not only of great significance to both countries, but also to the region and the world," Li said.

He asked the Japanese side to learn lessons from history and face up to the future, and to create a sound environment for expanding win-win cooperation, restarting relevant dialogue mechanisms and boosting regional cooperation.

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in Beijing on Jan. 28, 2018. /Reuters Photo

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi also met with Kono on Sunday and called for efforts from Japan to jointly improve the bilateral ties.

"The two sides should take the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship to eliminate barriers and promote improvement of ties," Yang told Kono.

During the meeting, Yang called on both sides to respect each other's core interests and major concerns, abide by the principles of the four China-Japan political documents, and properly handle sensitive issues, including regarding history.

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in Beijing on Jan. 28, 2018. /Reuters Photo

He also asked the two countries to "control differences and expand win-win cooperation, to push forward ties on a sound track of improvement and development."

Kono said his government is ready to cement political trust and concrete cooperation with China, enhance high-level exchanges and contacts among various levels, to promote full improvement of ties.

Kono is on an official visit to China from Jan. 27 to 28. During his visit, he has also met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

This is Kono's first visit to China as foreign minister and the first by any Japanese foreign minister since 2016.

(With inputs from Xinhua)