Japan, China agree to step up economic cooperation

Sep 01 (NHK) - Japan and China have agreed to step up their economic and financial cooperation.

The 7th Japan-China Finance Dialogue was held in Beijing on Friday. Japan's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso, Chinese Finance Minister Liu Kun, and other senior officials of the 2 countries attended the meeting.

A joint statement issued after the meeting says they agreed to contribute to the continuous, healthy and steady development of Japan-China relations.

They agreed to speed up talks on reviving a currency-swap agreement to provide each other with funds in a financial crisis.

They also agreed to promote the idea of a framework that will allow private firms in Japan and China to jointly build infrastructure in a third country.

And the statement apparently refers to the protectionist stance taken by the administration of US President Donald Trump.

It notes that protectionism cannot be beneficial for any country, and that both sides will maintain and promote the free, open and rules-based, multilateral trading system.

Aso told reporters he feels they held talks with a good atmosphere, reflecting improving relations between the 2 countries.

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