BEIJING: Despite acknowledging difficulties, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya met with his counterpart Wang Yi and other high-ranking officials in Beijing on Wednesday. According to sources, the two sides agreed to strive to expand collaboration.
Iwaya is visiting China for the first time since taking over as Japan’s top diplomat earlier this year.
China and Japan are important commercial partners, but in recent years, tensions over military spending and disputed areas have strained relations.
CCTV footage from the state broadcaster revealed that Iwaya and Wang met at the lavish Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.
According to Japan’s Kyodo news agency, he assured Wang that Tokyo will make an effort to “reduce challenges and matters of concern while increasing cooperation and collaboration.”
Iwaya has previously met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and committed to a “constructive and stable”
