Japan, China Agree on Denuclearization for N. Korea

Tokyo, April 16 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi shared the view on Monday that the denuclearization of North Korea is a common goal for both Japan and China. During their meeting at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Abe called on Wang for China's understanding and cooperation to resolve at an early date the issue of Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea decades ago. Abe said he hopes a planned visit to Japan by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang for a summit, scheduled to take place in May between Japan, China and South Korea, will be an opportunity to improve bilateral ties in a variety of fields under strategic relations for mutual benefits. The coming visit to Japan will be Li's first since he took office in 2013. In response, Wang said that both Japan and China need to move forward with the process of improving bilateral ties from wider and long-term perspectives. Wang also said that the world's free trade system is being shaken by the rise of protectionism, apparently referring to the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. China hopes to boost cooperation with Japan to maintain the world's free trade system, while strengthening bilateral economic cooperation at the same time, Wang said. Abe and Wang also agreed on the importance of making the East China Sea a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship. END