Japanese PM Abe says he welcomes Chinese Premier Li's visit to Japan

APD NEWS

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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that he looks forward to and welcomes Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Japan, during a meeting with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tokyo.

Premier Li said last month that he will consider paying an official visit to Japan while attending the China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting in the first half of this year.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a regular briefing on Monday that China hopes the two sides can keep communicating and create conditions for further high-level contacts.

Abe said Japan attaches great importance to its relations with China and is willing to take the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship as an opportunity to push for comprehensive improvement in bilateral relations, achieve high-level exchanges, and conduct more extensive cooperation.

Speaking of the Belt and Road Initiative, the prime minister said he expects the project to help the recovery and development of regional economy.

"Japan also values the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and advocates handling WTO issues according to WTO rules," stressed Abe.

Wang, for his part, said bilateral ties have experienced ups and downs in recent years, which affected exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in vast areas.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Abe's official residence in Tokyo, April 16, 2018.

"Mr. Prime Minister has repeatedly sent positive information on improving Sino-Japanese relations since last year, and China attaches importance to this," Wang noted.

He called on Japan to follow the principles of the four political documents between the two countries, and properly handle sensitive issues.

"China values Mr. Prime Minister's positive remarks regarding the Belt and Road Initiative. We are willing to discuss with Japan the proper ways for Japan to join the project and believe Japan's participation will open new space in bilateral economic cooperation," noted Wang.

Wang is currently in Japan for a visit from April 15 to 17 and earlier on Monday he co-chaired the fourth high-level economic dialogue between China and Japan with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in Tokyo, where the two reiterated determination to oppose protectionism.

(CGTN)