Japan, China Kick Off Ruling Party Dialogue

Tokyo, Dec. 25 (Jiji Press)--Senior officials of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, Komeito, kicked off two-day talks with executives of the Communist Party of China in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China, on Monday. Participants at the meeting, the first such dialogue since August, included Toshihiro Nikai, secretary-general of the LDP, and Nikai's counterpart at Komeito, Yoshihisa Inoue, as well as Song Tao, head of the International Department of the Chinese party's Central Committee. It is the first time in approximately two years for senior officials of the two Asian countries' ruling parties to hold a meeting in China. At the dialogue, the two sides exchanged opinions on topics such as Japan-China relations and bilateral cooperation over China's "One Belt, One Road" development initiative for countries along the old Silk Road. The meeting will end in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian Province, on Tuesday with the adoption of a joint proposal. END