Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe broke hiatus of more than a year even as tensions increase over disputed island in the East China Sea, after a sit-down meeting on Monday, September 5.
Xi told Abe that they must deal with the argument via dialogue, warning ties have entered a phase where "in progress means regression."
He added that the tie is still "troubled by complications at times."
According to the official Xinhua News Agency, Xi said, "Both sides should bolster their sense of responsibility and crisis awareness, and work to build on the positive elements of bilateral ties while putting a lid on negative ones."
Abe agreed that the nations should work closely and that he had given Xi his "honest thoughts."
The talked lasted for about 30 minutes on the sideline of the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China.
"Although the time for this summit was limited, we could hold deep talks," Abe told reporters afterward. "China has long been an important friend of Japan. It has a major responsibility for regional peace and stability and for the global economy."
Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Koichi Hagiuda, in a briefing in Hangzhou described the atmosphere of the meeting as good.
The two countries agreed to speed up a planned aerial and maritime communications mechanism meant at preventing a dispute in the East China Sea. It has not been put into practice despite years of discussions.
