China, Japan agree to hold new-round consultation on East China Sea

China and Japan agreed in principle to hold the next round of consultation on the East China Sea issue at an early date, said Kong Quan, spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing Tuesday at a regular press conference.

The agreement came after informal talks on Monday between Cui Tiankai, head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Asian Affairs Department and Kenichiro Sasae, head of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asia and Oceania Affairs Bureau, according to Kong.

He said the two sides frankly exchanged views on relevant issues, agreed to have further discussions on joint exploration and took a constructive attitude toward the work concerned.

China has all along advocated to lay aside differences and conduct joint exploration in the East China Sea, but has failed to get positive response from Japan, he said.

"China would like to work with Japan to push forward the joint exploration in the East China Sea through consultation," Kong said.

Source: Xinhua