Ishiba, China's Li Agree to Promote Strategic Ties

Vientiane, Oct. 10 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Chinese Premier Li Qiang agreed Thursday to promote a mutually beneficial strategic relationship between the two countries and develop constructive and stable bilateral relations. 

At their meeting in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, Ishiba urged the Chinese side to promptly provide information on the fatal stabbing of a Japanese schoolboy in China last month.

It was Ishiba's first meeting with a senior Chinese official since taking office on Oct. 1.

During the 35-minute meeting, the new Japanese leader said that there is potential for cooperation between Japan and China, as well as pending issues, and that he will work to ensure that the people of both countries can enjoy the fruits of the development of bilateral relations.

Li voiced his eagerness to establish good relations between the two countries, and noted that it is in the interest of the people of both countries to build a stable bilateral relationship suitable for a new era.

The two agreed that their countries will continue multi-layered communication, including at the summit level.

Following the stabbing incident, Ishiba said that the anxiety of Japanese nationals in China is growing rapidly. He asked the Chinese side to take relevant measures, including eliminating malicious anti-Japanese social media posts.

Ishiba also voiced serious concern over a Chinese military plane's incursion into Japanese airspace and other recent developments, and demanded thorough explanations.

He called on China to resume imports of Japanese fishery products soon, after the two governments agreed on the resumption earlier this year.

The Japanese leader expressed serious concern over China's moves in the South China Sea and elsewhere, while underscoring the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

According to Japan's Foreign Ministry, Ishiba did not mention his proposal to create an Asian version of NATO.

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