Abe, Xi agree to improve relationship

NHK -- Sep 13

Japan's prime minister and China's president say they'll work to improve relations. As part of that, Shinzo Abe told reporters he'll push ahead with plans to visit China next month. The two leaders met on the sidelines of an economic forum in eastern Russia.

Abe said, "The horizon is broadening on cooperation between Japan and China. Relations between our two countries are now on a normal track."

Chinese President Xi Jinping said, "Through mutual cooperation, relations between China and Japan are back on track. We have to continue to cooperate and promote Sino-Japanese relations, to develop a stable relationship that's moving forward in order to achieve further development."

Abe told reporters the two agreed to build the foundation of peace and prosperity in northeast Asia by raising bilateral relations to a new level.

They also reaffirmed they'll cooperate closely on North Korea. Abe said they agreed their common goal is the denuclearization of the entire Peninsula.

Abe also said Xi would welcome his visit. The prime minister said officials will work to make it happen as early as next month.

There is a growing momentum for improved ties as the countries prepare to mark the 40th anniversary of a bilateral peace and friendship treaty on October 23rd.

Before recent improvements, relations between the countries had soured for years.

Part of the tension was over the Japanese government's purchase of some of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea from their Japanese owner. Japan controls the islands. Its government maintains they're an inherent part of Japan's territory. China and Taiwan claim them.

Sep 13 (ANNnewsCH) - 安倍総理大臣の来月の中国訪問に向けて調整を進めることで一致しました。 安倍総理大臣:「積み上げてきた両首脳同士の信頼関係のうえに、来月にも私の中国訪問を歓迎するとの発言が(習主席から)ありました」 ロシアのウラジオストクを訪問中の安倍総理は、中国の習近平国家主席と会談しました。