China raises concerns over Japan's actions in E. China Sea

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China on Tuesday urged Japan to honor its commitment to improving relations with China and translate its positive remarks into concrete policies and actions.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the comment after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed Japan's willingness to promote the relationship with China, while the country's Foreign Minister Taro Kono claimed that Japan "cannot accept any attempt to change the status quo" in the East China Sea, according to Japanese media.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying during a regular press briefing on Jan. 23, 2018. /Photo of fmprc.gov.cn

"We are also aware of Japan's stance on the East China Sea," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said during the regular press briefing, "We hope Japan will match its words and deeds, and translate its positive remarks into concrete policies and actions to improve relations with China," she said.

In addition to Abe's remarks in his policy speech at the opening of this year's ordinary Diet session on Monday, Kono said Japan will use this year's 40th anniversary of the signing of a bilateral peace and friendship treaty as an opportunity to promote exchanges between the two peoples and strengthen bilateral economic ties.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers his policy speech at the Lower House's plenary session at the National Diet in Tokyo on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018./VCG Photo

"China hopes Japan will work with China to increase communication and mutual trust and handle our differences properly for the development of bilateral relations on the right track," Hua said at a regular news briefing.

Hua said the two countries should work in accordance with the four-point principled consensus reached in 2014 and take the advantage of the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty this year to improve and develop bilateral relations.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono delivers his foreign policy speech at the Lower House's plenary session at the National Diet in Tokyo on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. /VCG Photo

China is willing to cooperate with Japan and other parties on the Belt and Road Initiative to realize common development and prosperity among countries in the region, Hua said.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency