China, Japan ruling parties hold talks on improving ties

Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party President Shinzo Abe meets with Song Tao (L), head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 8, 2017. (Xinhua/Hua Yi)

Senior members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Japan's ruling coalition, formed by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior partner the Komeito party, met here at the sixth China-Japan ruling party talks on improvement of bilateral ties.

During the talks which wrapped up on Wednesday, Song Tao, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, urged the two sides not to forget their original intention when normalizing bilateral ties 45 years ago.

Song said that on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations, the meeting under an exchange mechanism was aimed at implementing the important consensus between their leaders and pushing forward bilateral relations in the right direction.

The two sides should make joint efforts, based on the spirit of four major political documents between China and Japan, to properly handle sensitive issues, including the Taiwan and historical issues, and firmly safeguard the political foundation of bilateral ties, said Song.

He also called on the two sides to enhance exchanges in all fields, discuss cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and expand cooperation foundation between the two sides.

Toshihiro Nikai, secretary general of the LDP, and Yoshihisa Inoue, secretary general of the Komeito Party, spoke highly of the Chinese delegation attending the ruling party talks on Aug. 7-9.

They said they are willing to work together with the Chinese side to enhance cooperation and mutual trust between the two countries, and consolidate the momentum of improvement in bilateral relations.

During the meeting, the two sides approved a mutual initiative.

Japanese Prime Minister and LDP President Shinzo Abe met with Song Tuesday afternoon.

Song said during his meeting with Abe that Chinese President Xi Jinping had stressed the political principles and the direction for future efforts when meeting with Abe at the Group of 20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, last month.

Song urged the Japanese side to honor its promises, saying that the CPC is wiling to work with Japan to bring into full play the party exchange mechanism and the guiding role of the political parties to safeguard the political foundation of bilateral ties, promote friendship between the two peoples and promote cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Abe spoke highly of the fruits and significance of his meeting with Xi in Hamburg and said that he expected the ruling parties of China and Japan to play a positive role in improving and developing bilateral relations.

He also said he will make joint efforts with China to expand communication and cooperation, and push forward the Japan-China strategic relationship of mutual benefit.