1st Ld-Writethru: Chinese FM accuses Japanese gov't, leaders of "double dealing"

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday accused the Japanese government and leaders of "double dealing," saying that there is little ground for optimism in bilateral relations despite signs of improvement.

On one hand, the Japanese government and leaders say all the nice things about wanting to improve the relations. On the other hand, they are making troubles for China at every turn, Wang said.

"This is what I would call a typical case of double dealing," Wang told a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

"Thanks to the efforts of wise people on both sides, there are signs of improvement in the China-Japan relations, but there is little ground for optimism," he said.

"Of course we want to see the China-Japan relations truly improve, but as a saying goes, to cure diseases, you have to address underlying problems," the foreign minister said.

For the China-Japan relations, the underlying problem is that the Japanese politicians in power have wrong perceptions about China, Wang said.

The Japanese side should give a serious thought on whether to view a growing China as a friend or a foe, as a partner or an adversary, he added. Endi