China encourages contacts between Japan, DPRK

China encourages Japan and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to strengthen contacts, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in BeijingTuesday.

Media reports said that Taku Yamasaki, a former deputy leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), left for the DPRK on Tuesday.

Liu said China was always positive toward any contact or communication between Japan and the DPRK so as to improve their ties.

China hoped the two sides could continue stepping up bilateral contacts so as to further enhance mutual trust, Liu said.

The improvement of Japan-DPRK ties was conducive to peace and stability in East Asia, he added.

The former LDP vice president's visit comes at a time when Japan-DPRK relations have been in stalemate due to the DPRK's nuclear test last year as well as their dispute over the DPRK's abduction of Japanese nationals.

Source: Xinhua