Chinese Premier Li hopes Japan, China can meet halfway, keep relations on right track

BEIJING – Chinese Premier Li Qiang said he hopes Japan can meet China halfway and keep bilateral relations on the right track, state media reported, as the two countries try to ease escalating tensions in the region.

In talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Oct 10 on the sidelines of

an Asean conference,

Mr Li also said he hopes China and Japan can continually strengthen dialogue and cooperation, according to the official Xinhua news agency on Oct 11.

Mr Li noted that the two countries should jointly safeguard the stability and smooth flow of industrial and supply chains and the global free trade system.

Mr Li made the comments after the leaders’ meetings on East Asia cooperation held in Vientiane, Laos, Xinhua reported.

Mr Ishiba, who became prime minister in late September, said that Japan has no intention of decoupling or severing industrial and supply chains with China.

He added that his country is willing to work with the world’s second-largest economy to strengthen high-level exchanges, intensify dialogue and communication at all levels, and resolve pending issues through consultation, Xinhua reported.

The meeting comes days after China’s top diplomat had a phone call with Japan’s new foreign minister over several issues affecting the two countries, as tensions rose over China’s increased military activity near Japan’s territorial waters. REUTERS