Shinzo Abe presses for meeting with Xi
1 Oct 2014 4:53 AM IST
A recent flurry of activity has thawed relations that had been in deep freeze for two years, and Abe has embarked on a concerted effort to get face time with the Chinese leader on the sidelines of a regional summit in November.
‘I wish to realise summit talks (with Xi) at an early time... in order to build stable and friendly relations between Japan and China, both of which share responsibility for the region’s peace and prosperity,’ he said in a policy speech to parliament.
‘Japan and China are an inseparable pair. China’s peaceful development means a big opportunity for our nation,’ Abe said.
The remark came as Beijing prepares to host a gathering of leaders of countries that are part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
Abe and Xi have not held a summit since the Japanese leader came to power in December 2012, followed by the Chinese leader’s appointment as president in March 2013.
Efforts to improve soured ties have accelerated in recent months, with tentative public high-level contacts.
Japanese foreign minister Fumio Kishida has met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, a veteran Japan-handler who speaks fluent Japanese and had served as an ambassador to Tokyo.
‘I wish to realise summit talks (with Xi) at an early time... in order to build stable and friendly relations between Japan and China, both of which share responsibility for the region’s peace and prosperity,’ he said in a policy speech to parliament.
‘Japan and China are an inseparable pair. China’s peaceful development means a big opportunity for our nation,’ Abe said.
The remark came as Beijing prepares to host a gathering of leaders of countries that are part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
Abe and Xi have not held a summit since the Japanese leader came to power in December 2012, followed by the Chinese leader’s appointment as president in March 2013.
Efforts to improve soured ties have accelerated in recent months, with tentative public high-level contacts.
Japanese foreign minister Fumio Kishida has met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, a veteran Japan-handler who speaks fluent Japanese and had served as an ambassador to Tokyo.
Next Story
