Chinese president Xi Jinping has told Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba that he hopes Japan will “properly” handle issues such as history and Taiwan after Tokyo expressed concerns about Beijing’s “increasingly aggressive military manoeuvres”.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba agreed to strengthen communication at all levels during their first meeting since the Japanese leader took office in October.

LIMA--Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held his first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping here on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping looks on during a meeting with Peru's President Dina Boluarte at the government palace on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru, November 14, 2024. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo

LIMA (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Friday he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to foster "mutually beneficial" and "stable" relations in their first in-person talks.

In their first meeting, China's President Xi Jinping and Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba addressed key bilateral issues, including historical disputes and the ongoing Taiwan situation. Both leaders emphasized the need to safeguard the global free trade system while Ishiba raised concerns about Chinese maritime activities and called for the release of detained Japanese nationals.

It is hoped Japan will ‘properly handle’ major issues including Taiwan, Xi Jinping tells Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Apec margins.