Japan’s national security advisor visits Beijing as security bills stir tension

World Today

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with Shotaro Yachi, head of Japan’s National Security Council

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has met with the head of Japan’s National Security Council, Shotaro Yachi, who is in Beijing for a high-level political dialogue.

During the meeting, Premier Li Keqiang said the relationship between China and Japan are important to not only the people from the two countries, but also regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

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The Premier said China hopes Japan can keep its promises to seriously address the concerns of Asian countries which suffered from past Japanese aggression, and called on Japan to play its role in regional peace and development.

Yachi said Japan is willing to face the suffering it caused for its Asian neighbors in the past and communication with China in the future to enhance bilateral ties.

The meeting was held after Yachi met with China State Councilor Yang Jiechi on Thursday amid the tensions occurred due to Japanese lower house’s approval of controversial security bills.

Also on Friday when meeting with Shotaro Yachi, Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan, who is also the State Councilor, expressed concern over Japan’s security bills, which is expected to expand the military power of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.

Chang Wangquan said the passing of the bills Thursday is an “unprecedented move” for Japan’s military since the end of the World War II, and this move will have a complicated influence on regional security and strategic stability.

Chang urged the Japanese to learn from history, respect major security concerns of its neighbors and not to do harm to regional peace and stability.

Japan’s controversial security bills have been criticized both at home and abroad. The world media were quick to comment on the issue after Japanese lower house’s approval on Thursday.

Story compiled from CCTV News.