As Japan-China relations continue to improve, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is scheduled to visit China for three days later this month.
BEIJING/TOKYO – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is scheduled to visit China for three days from Oct. 25, both governments said Friday as bilateral relations continue to show momentum.
It will mark the first visit by Japanese prime minister to China primarily to hold formal bilateral talks with Chinese leaders since December 2011. The trip comes as Beijing has been attempting to strengthen cooperation with Japan amid its ongoing trade war with Washington.
Abe expressed readiness to promote ties with China further, saying in a speech in Tokyo that he wants to lift relations to “a new stage,” noting that the two sides share a responsibility to realize peace and stability in the region.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a news briefing that Japan is an “important neighbor” of China, adding that the two sides “have to confirm that we are cooperative partners and we will not become threats for each other.”
Abe’s visit will be made at the invitation of Premier Li Keqiang, Lu said, adding that the Japanese prime minister and Chinese leaders are expected to talk about how to improve and develop bilateral ties and discuss international issues of mutual concern.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Abe will hold a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Oct.
