Chinese official held secret talks in Japan, reports say

Chinese official held secret talks in Japan, reports say

 

(AFP, TOKYO)

 

A senior Chinese government official has secretly visited Japan for talks with Japanese officials aimed at improving bilateral relations damaged by an ongoing territorial row, reports said on Tuesday.

 

The talks involving a high-ranking official from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Asian division were thought to have been held early this month, Japanese news agency Jiji Press reported from Beijing, quoting Chinese government sources.

 

A high-ranking official from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the meeting, the report said.

 

A Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs official declined comment on the content of the report, saying: “Japan and China have been making various exchanges at various levels.”

 

During the trip, the Chinese official attempted to make progress towards summit talks between the two sides, Japan’s Kyodo news agency said, quoting sources close to Japan-China relations.

 

However, the talks failed to make any headway, the sources added, saying it was uncertain whether the officials would meet again.

 

“At this moment, circumstances don’t allow Japan and China room to approach one another for a summit. The two countries have a major gap in perception,” Kyodo said, quoting an unnamed source.

 

(TAIPEI TIMES, Agence France-Presse, 17 Thursday October 2013 The Roman)

(Edited: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 17 Thursday October 2013 The Roman)