Japan Urges China to Intensify Pressure on N. Korea

Tokyo, May 31 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told visiting Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi on Wednesday that Tokyo wants Beijing to strengthen its pressure on North Korea over its nuclear and missile development in step with Tokyo and Washington. "It is important to boost pressure on North Korea now," Abe said. "Because China's role is crucial, we want your country to do more to play its constructive role." China hopes that all relevant countries will fulfill constructive roles in order to achieve peaceful solutions to issues related to North Korea, Yang said. During their 50-minute talks in Tokyo, the two leaders also agreed that their countries will continue working closely toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Abe also sought support from China to resolve the issue of abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korean agents decades ago. With Japan and China marking the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic normalization this year, Abe and Yang reaffirmed the importance of making efforts to improve the bilateral relationship. For better ties, the two countries need to deal properly with pending issues, Abe said. He apparently had in mind China's increasing maritime activities in the East and South China seas. Quoting from a 2008 Japan-China joint statement, Yang said the two countries "are partners who cooperate together and are not threats to each other." Substance should be given to this recognition, he added. According to Chinese government officials, Yang told Abe that dealing appropriately with sensitive bilateral matters, such as history issues, is important to ensure a stable bilateral relationship. Abe and Yang also agreed on the importance of holding bilateral meetings, including summit talks, on the sidelines of international conferences. Abe is seeking to hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping when they attend a summit of the Group of 20 advanced and merging economies in Germany in July. END