China looks to improve ties with Japan through political party exchanges

BEIJING - The Communist Party of China (CPC) hopes to work with Japan's major political parties, including the Komeito Party, to improve bilateral ties, Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Yang said.

Wang made the remarks when meeting Friday with Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of Japan's Komeito Party, who is in Beijing to attend a high-level meeting between the CPC and world political parties.

Recalling the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last month, Wang said Xi stressed the key to improving Sino-Japanese relations is mutual trust.

"China and Japan should implement the consensus of the two countries' leaders, increase positive engagement, and create a climate for practical cooperation," Wang said.

Wang also met with a delegation from the National Committee on United States-China relations on the same day, saying the two heads of state set the direction for future Sino-U.S. relations during U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit to China.

Wang said he expected the committee to continue their active role in strengthening understanding and cooperation between China and the United States to boost the healthy and stable growth of bilateral relations for a long time.