China, Japan hold fourth round of high-level political dialogue

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (L) shakes hands with Japan's National Security Advisor Shotaro Yachi as they co-chair the fourth round of China-Japan high-level political dialogue near Tokyo, Japan, May 29, 2017. (Xinhua)

TOKYO, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Japanese National Security Advisor Shotaro Yachi co-chaired the fourth round of high-level political dialogue between the two countries on Monday.

Yang said at the meeting that China-Japan relations are currently at an important juncture with both new opportunities and outstanding challenges as this year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations.

The two sides should remind themselves of their original intention for normalizing ties, take history as a mirror while facing to the future, and push for the continuous enhancement of bilateral relations based on the spirit of four important political documents between China and Japan and the four-point principled agreement reached in November 2014, Yang said.

Yang also said that China attaches importance to developing its relationship with Japan and this stance has not changed. He called on the Japanese side to conform to the trend of times and implement, with specific policies and concrete actions, the consensus that the two countries are each other's cooperative partner rather than threats, and that China's development is an opportunity for Japan.

Yang also urged Japan to honor its words and abide by relevant rules regarding the historical and Taiwan issues and make joint efforts with China to safeguard the peace and stability in the East China Sea.

He also called upon Japan to speak and act cautiously regarding the South China Sea issue and to play a constructive role as relevant countries in the region are making their efforts to solve the issue properly.

Welcoming Japan to discuss cooperation with China under the framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative, Yang said the two sides should speed up transformation and upgrade of bilateral economic and trade cooperation and to expand cooperation in new areas.

He also urged the two sides to further enhance communication between local governments and the young people, among others, so as to promote mutual understanding between the two peoples and lay solid foundation for the development of bilateral ties.

For his part, Yachi said that cooperation between China and Japan, two major countries in Asia, is vital to the region and the two sides shall fully implement the consensus that they are each other's cooperative partner rather than threats.

He said that Japan's stance on the Taiwan and historical issues has not changed and Japan is dedicated to improving its relationship with China and is willing to make joint efforts with China to enhance exchanges at all levels, expand positive aspects and properly manage disputes in bilateral relations.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concerns.