Japan, China officials to meet on UN reform
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-22 19:34

Japanese and Chinese officials will meet next week in Beijing to discuss Tokyo's bid for a permanent U.N. Security Council seat, amid deteriorating ties between the two countries, the Japanese government said Thursday.

Japan has been campaigning, so far unsuccessfully, with other nations to win permanent seats on an expanded council.

China _ one of the five current permanent members, along with the United States, Russia, France and Britain _ opposes a permanent seat for Japan, saying Tokyo hasn't atoned for its World War II atrocities. China says it wants more developing countries on the council.

The officials meeting in Beijing on December 26 are expected to exchange opinions on Security Council reform, defense affairs and other aspects of U.N. reform, said a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, speaking anonymously under ministry regulations.

The Security Council currently has 15 members, 10 elected for two-year terms and five permanent members who have veto power.