Abe tells Xi he wants new era for Japan-China relations

The relationship between the two countries have been strained since the second world war. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he wants “to start a new Japan-China era” during bilateral talks with China’s President Xi Jinping in Osaka on Thursday. The two leaders met at a hotel in the city on the sidelines of the summit […]

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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) at the start of their talks in Osaka, on June 27, 2019, ahead of the G20 Osaka Summit. (Photo by Kimimasa MAYAMA / POOL / AFP) / “The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Kimimasa MAYAMA has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [correcting positioning of Abe to L and Xi to R]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require.”

June 28, 2019

The relationship between the two countries have been strained since the second world war.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he wants “to start a new Japan-China era” during bilateral talks with China’s President Xi Jinping in Osaka on Thursday.

The two leaders met at a hotel in the city on the sidelines of the summit of Group of 20 major economies, which starts Friday. During the meeting, Abe invited Xi to Japan as a state guest the next time the cherry blossoms bloom, seeking to take the Japan-China relationship to the next level. “It’s a good idea to visit Japan next spring,” Xi answered.

Xi also highlighted the need to promote free trade. “The relationship between China and Japan is at a new historical starting line,” he said.

The bilateral meeting was followed by a dinner where the two leaders had “frank discussions,” according to a Japanese government official.

Xi’s visit to Japan is the first since he took office as president in March 2013. Xi arrived at Kansai International Airport in Osaka on Thursday. A visit by Xi to Japan had not been realized before now, due partly to issues over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.

This is the first time for a Chinese head of state to visit Japan in nine years since 2010 — when then Chinese President Hu Jintao came to Japan.

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