China and Japan at the weekend pledged to forge closer ties as both countries stood together at an “historic turning point”, signing a broad range of agreements including a $30 billion currency swap pact, amid rising trade tensions with Washington. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also agreed the two countries would work together to achieve denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.
The pacts were reached on Abe’s three-day visit to Beijing as the two neighbors looked to carve out new areas of cooperation and seek ways to promote trust, which has been fragile at times since diplomatic relations resumed in 1972. Deals worth a total of $18 billion were signed between Chinese and Japanese companies during Abe’s visit. That reflects the “bright prospects” for cooperation between the two countries, said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
“From competition to co-existence, Japan and China bilateral relations have entered a new phase. Hand in hand with Premier Li, I would like to advance our ties forward,” Abe told reporters after the pair met on Friday morning.
Both countries are neighbors and partners, and will not become a threat to each other, Abe said after meeting with President Xi Jinping on Friday in the first full-scale Sino-Japanese summit since 2011.
“With President Xi Jinping, I would like to carve out a new era for China and Japan,” Abe said.
Xi said bilateral ties had returned to the right track and China would ensure the positive momentum continues, according to state media.
That is worth cherishing by both sides,” Xi said.
Both sides should undertake more in-depth strategic dialogue, Xi said, adding that exchanges between ordinary Japanese and Chinese people should also be stepped up to foster deeper mutual understanding.
“Both sides should accurately grasp each other’s strategic intent, and implement what was agreed – that both sides will become partners, both sides will pose no threats to each other,” Xi said.
Abe invited Xi to visit Japan next year. Xi said he would “seriously consider” a visit, a Japanese government spokesman told reporters in Beijing.
“My impression is that President Xi responded positively. We need to nail down a date now,” he said. (REUTERS)
