Assistant foreign minister: 2015 crucial for China-Japan relations

The year of 2015 will be crucial for China-Japan relations, Chinese assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao said here Wednesday.

Liu said in an interview with Xinhua that China and Japan should push for improvement of bilateral relations by continuous steps forward and gradually putting relations back on an even keel.

He said the two sides should proceed from a long-term vision to maintain and implement the four-point agreement and on this basis, properly handle such major sensitive issues as history and territories.

Liu said over the past few years, China-Japan relations have faced a stern situation due to historical and Diaoyu Islands issues, which have seriously undermined mutual trust and exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in all areas.

"This is neither in the basic interests of the two countries, nor in conformity with aspirations of the international community," Liu said.

He said recently, the two sides have reached a four-point principled consensus on handling and improving bilateral relations, including the consensus on the issue of Diaoyu Islands. Leaders of the two countries have met as bilateral relations took an important step toward improvement, according to Liu.

Liu said over the past year, China and Japan have conducted a few rounds of diplomatic consultations on the issues of East China Sea and the Diaoyu Islands. He said in 2015, China is ready to work with Japan to continue negotiations on sea issues on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

He said China is ready to work with Japan to gradually set up a mechanism on controlling sea and air situations. China is also ready to expand sea cooperation with Japan.

Other countries should make their own efforts to seek dialogue and advance cooperation while putting aside disputes.

"China expects the countries concerned to march toward the same goal with China, handle the disputes in a constructive way and jointly maintain peace and stability of the region," Liu said.

He said in 2015, China will actively push for the establishment of a East Asia sea cooperation platform.