First High-Level Security Talks Between China, Japan Held After Four Years

Defense and foreign ministry officials from China and Japan attended a high-level security meeting in Tokyo on March 19, Thursday, the first dialogue held between the two countries in more than four years.

Liu Jianchao, China's assistant foreign minister, told participating officials that the meeting is important since the global security conditions have changed in the four years and the situation around the two countries has become complicated during the period.

Liu added that a dialogue between the foreign and defense ministries of the two countries is significant as they share common issues as neighbors who have to maintain peace as regional powers.

He also urged officials of the two countries to keep a truthful and practical attitude to further enrich cooperation and encourage further talks between the two countries.

The Chinese diplomat said that China expects to develop better relationship with Japan in keeping with the spirit of "taking history as a mirror and looking forward to the future."

Last year, the two countries made a turning point in their relations with the signing of the four-point agreement.

Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama, on the other hand, said that the ties between China and Japan have gradually improved since last year as both countries have agreed to establish the method for air and maritime emergency communication, including top-level discussion over maritime issues.

Sugiyama also urged the two countries to talk directly to thresh out problems and conduct more meaningful cooperation through dialogues.

Defense ministry senior officials of the two countries were also present during the meeting.

The last meeting between the two countries was held in Beijing in Jan. 2011, which was cancelled after a dispute ensued over Japan's claim of China's Diaoyu Islands. The relations between the two countries are beset by dispute in territorial and historical issues.