China, Japan trade ministers hold talks on enhancing economic ties

Trade ministers of China and Japan, meeting on the sidelines of the 11th China-Japan-South Korea economic and trade ministers' meeting Saturday, exchanged views on a number of trade issues.

Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng, noting that China and Japan are close neighbors and trade partners and have made significant achievements in economic cooperation since normalization of bilateral ties, called for bringing into full play the constructive role of economic cooperation to improve bilateral relations.

He said that Chinese and Japanese economies are deeply complementary, and the two countries should explore new cooperation areas and expand practical cooperation as China has entered a "new normal" of medium-to-high-speed growth.

He also said that the two nations should enhance communication on regional and multilateral trade issues and work together to promote the implementation of the G20 Hangzhou Summit outcomes, and to push for reaching an early agreement on China-Japan-South Korea free trade zone and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko, for his part, said that Japan, attaching great importance to Sino-Japanese economic relations, is willing to help Japanese enterprises to adapt to the new economic situation in China and to expand investment and cooperation in service sectors and other areas.

He also said the Japanese side thinks highly of China's effective role in promoting trade and investment as the G20 chair and Japan is willing to enhance communication and coordination with China to make contribution to regional and world economic development. Endite