Japanese newly elected Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae held her first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan on Friday, officials said. The two leaders met for about 30 minutes for the first time since Takaichi was elected to the office.
The meeting, according to official sources, was held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Gyeongju, South Korea.
Takaichi said at the outset that China is an important neighbour for Japan and that both countries bear heavy responsibility for the peace and prosperity of the region and the world.
She said she hopes to restore full-fledged ties with the all-important neighbour in the region to reset the deteriorated relations between China and Japan.
She said this involves promoting a reciprocally constructive relationship based on shared tactical interests and building productive and steady ties.
The Japanese PM said she hopes to decrease issues of concern and challenges that exist between Japan and China and instead increase understanding and cooperation.
She said she wants to achieve tangible results through trade, cooperation in tech and science, and other important fields where the two nations could exchange their valuable insights.
Takaichi added that she hopes to have more opportunities to engage in frank dialogue with President Xi and deepen top-level ties.
The most pressing issues in maritime security between the two countries have deteriorated recently.
Japan is firmly in support of the US presence in the South China Sea and Guam, which Beijing views as a security and territorial challenge.
Both sides are expected to convey their concerns to each other in a constructive and meaningful dialogue.
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