This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21191780

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Japan envoy meets Chinese leader amid islands dispute Japan envoy meets Chinese leader amid islands dispute
(about 1 hour later)
An envoy for Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has met China's leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, amid a growing territorial dispute.An envoy for Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has met China's leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, amid a growing territorial dispute.
Natsuo Yamaguchi, head of the junior party in Japan's ruling coalition, handed Mr Xi a letter from Mr Abe - its content has not been disclosed. Natsuo Yamaguchi, head of the junior party in Japan's ruling coalition, handed Mr Xi a letter from Mr Abe - its contents have not been disclosed.
Mr Yamaguchi said the two had agreed it was important to maintain a dialogue.Mr Yamaguchi said the two had agreed it was important to maintain a dialogue.
As head of the New Komeito party, he is the most senior politician to visit China since ties worsened last year. Mr Xi urged Japan to "work hard with China" to resolve the issue, a Chinese foreign ministry statement said.
As head of the New Komeito party, Natsuo Yamaguchi is the most senior politician to visit China since ties worsened last year.
Both countries claim sovereignty over a chain of islands in the East China Sea, called Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese.Both countries claim sovereignty over a chain of islands in the East China Sea, called Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese.
The islands, which are controlled by Japan, lie south of Okinawa and north of Taiwan.The islands, which are controlled by Japan, lie south of Okinawa and north of Taiwan.
'Great importance''Great importance'
After his meeting, Mr Yamaguchi told reporters that Japan "wishes to pursue ties with China while looking at the big picture".After his meeting, Mr Yamaguchi told reporters that Japan "wishes to pursue ties with China while looking at the big picture".
He said Mr Xi had told him that although China and Japan have "different positions, it is important to make efforts to resolve the issue through discussion and co-operation". "It is important that both sides make efforts through political dialogue so that a summit meeting between Japanese and Chinese leaders can take place - this is the suggestion that I made," he said.
He said Mr Xi has spoken of "taking serious steps towards having high-level discussions and that the "importance of creating the environment for those talks to take place" had been the focus of their conversation. "In response, Xi Jinping said there was a need for high-level dialogue and that he would consider it seriously."
Mr Xi, meanwhile, speaking before the talks, said the visit came "at a period in which Sino-Japanese relations face a special situation" and that China attached "great importance" to it.Mr Xi, meanwhile, speaking before the talks, said the visit came "at a period in which Sino-Japanese relations face a special situation" and that China attached "great importance" to it.
"The Japanese side ought to face up to history and facts, take practical steps and work hard with China to find an effective way to appropriately resolve and manage the issue via dialogue and consultations," a foreign ministry statement later quoted him as saying.
The dispute over ownership of the islands has been rumbling for years, but it reignited in 2012 when the Japanese government purchased three of the islands from their private Japanese owner.The dispute over ownership of the islands has been rumbling for years, but it reignited in 2012 when the Japanese government purchased three of the islands from their private Japanese owner.
The move triggered diplomatic protests from Beijing and Taipei, and sparked small public protests in China, impacting on some Japanese businesses operating in the country. The move triggered diplomatic protests from Beijing and Taipei, and sparked small public protests in China, affecting some Japanese businesses operating in the country.
Chinese government ships have since sailed many times through what Japan says are its territorial waters around the islands. Late last year, a Chinese government plane also overflew the islands in what Japan called a violation of its airspace. Chinese government ships have since sailed many times through what Japan says are its territorial waters around the islands. Late last year, a Chinese government plane also flew over the islands in what Japan called a violation of its airspace.
In response, Tokyo has moved to increase military spending for the first time in a decade and Mr Abe recently embarked on a diplomatic offensive in South East Asia, where several nations are also embroiled in maritime disputes with China.In response, Tokyo has moved to increase military spending for the first time in a decade and Mr Abe recently embarked on a diplomatic offensive in South East Asia, where several nations are also embroiled in maritime disputes with China.
The tensions between the two Asian giants have raised concern, with the US calling for calm and restraint.