He was referring to schemes streamlining travel for business travellers and those residing in each country, which has been restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic.While the maritime dispute over the East China Sea isles called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China remains unresolved, the two sides have made tentative moves closer through trade agreements.Japan's government has complained of China's"relentless" intrusions in waters around the islets claimed by both nations.
"Through the joint effort by both sides, we would like to make the East China Sea the sea of peace, friendship and cooperation," said Wang, noting that the two countries plan to have working-level maritime talks next month.Foreign ministers of Japan and China also confirmed progress has been made on establishing a hotline between their defence authorities, a Japanese foreign ministry official said.
During their meeting, Japan's Motegi also expressed concern over developments in Hong Kong, a politically thorny issue for Beijing, the Japanese foreign ministry official added. Wang, who will fly to South Korea after Japan, said on Tuesday China and Japan agreed to move forward negotiations on a free trade deal between only the three countries.