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Japan News (26 October 2018)

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Beijing on Thursday to hold talks with Chinese leaders in a bid to add momentum to the improvement in relations between the Asian neighbors.

On Friday, Abe will hold separate meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in hopes of reaching an agreement to boost the improving bilateral ties to a stable relationship.

He is also expected to exchange opinions on North Korea’s denuclearization during the meetings.

Abe is the first Japanese prime minister to visit China as an official guest in about seven years.

Speaking to reporters at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo prior to his departure, Abe noted that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of the two countries’ peace and friendship treaty.

“With my visit, I would like to push the ties between the two nations up to a new level,” he said.

“I hope to have deep, heart-to-heart talks [with the Chinese side], on the basis of the common belief that Japan and China share a large responsibility for the peace and prosperity of the world,” Abe added, indicating that he will bring up maritime issues and the free trade system at the talks.

The Japanese side is aiming to realize mutual visits by Japanese and Chinese leaders on a sustainable basis in order to stabilize the bilateral relationship. At the summit, Abe hopes to elicit a positive response from Xi on the possibility of his visiting Japan next year.

On Friday, Abe and Li will also attend a forum discussing Japan-China cooperation in the area of private investment.

Through the various events and meetings, Abe hopes to confirm that the two countries will promote cooperation on aid to third countries and aims to display the strengthened economic ties between the two countries.

In his talks with Li, Abe plans to propose the termination of Japan’s official development assistance to China after about 40 years and ask for Beijing’s agreement. China has replaced Japan as the world’s second-largest economy.

http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0004919193