BEIJING, Oct. 30 -- China and Japan's defense agencies are moving forward with the expert consultation needed to resume maritime liaisons, said a Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman on Thursday.

Spokesman Yang Yujun told a monthly press briefing that Japan should take concrete action and create favorable conditions for improving bilateral ties.

The two countries only restarted high-level consultation on maritime affairs last month.

In a late-September meeting held in Qingdao, in east China's Shandong Province, officials from both countries' related departments exchanged views on East China Sea-related affairs and maritime cooperation.

They agreed, in principle, to resume bilateral maritime liaisons.

Commenting on Japan's recent military drills with the U.S., the Philippines and Russia, Yang said China hoped military cooperation could be conducive to regional peace and stability, instead of vice versa.