China, Japan hold 5th round of talks on East China Sea issues

Hu Zhengyue (L), Director of the FM Department of Asian Affairs and Kenichiro Sasae (R), head of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau are shaking hands.

The fifth round of talks on the East China Sea issues between China and Japan was held on Thursday in Tokyo, during which the two sides continued to exchange views on issues concerned.

Director of Chinese FM Department of Asian Affairs Hu Zhengyue, and his Japanese counterpart Kenichiro Sasae, head of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, were top negotiators of the two sides attending the talks.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said on Tuesday in Beijing that the consultation will help both sides to more consensus and narrowing differences.

Liu said the Chinese side will continue to conduct serious consultations with the Japanese side in a responsible and active attitude, in a bid to narrow the gap between the two sides.

Since October 2004, China and Japan have held four rounds of talks on the East China Sea issues. Last round of talks was held in Beijing in March this year.

Source: Xinhua