TOKYO: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said yesterday that Japan and China are “inseparable” and urged Beijing to come to the table for “vital” summit talks as he sought to move on from comparisons he drew with World War I.
The Japanese premier told lawmakers he would not budge on the sovereignty of the Tokyo-administered islands that Beijing claims, but insisted the disagreement should not prevent a meeting between two closely-intertwined countries.
“Unfortunately, we have not been able to realise summit meetings with China. But my door for dialogue is always open,” he told the opening of a parliamentary session.
“Instead of refusing to hold dialogue unless issues become resolved, we should hold talks because we have issues.”
“Japan and China are inseparable. I will continue to make efforts to improve relations, while calling (on China) to return to the principles of a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.”
AFP
