Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a ceremony Thursday marking the anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and China as well as China’s national day,
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a ceremony Thursday marking the anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and China as well as China’s national day, in a display of his intent to improve delicate relations between the Asian neighbors.
Abe attended the event at a Tokyo hotel, becoming a first Japanese leader to take part in the annual ceremony in more than a decade. He said he hoped Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Japan at the earliest possible date.
Abe said stronger ties between Japan and China benefit the two countries and also are indispensable for peace and stability in Northeast Asia “given the current situation” in the region, referring to the escalating nuclear and missile threat from North Korea, according to NHK.
Abe’s attendance on a busy day on which he dissolved the Lower Housefor snap elections was seen as a gesture of his willingness to improve ties.
