Japan PM says China and Japan must discuss their differences calmly
By APFriday, September 24, 2010
Japan PM calls for calm in Japan-China ties
NEW YORK — Japan’s prime minister is calling for calm in ties between China and Japan in the wake of a tense territorial spat between the Asian rivals.
Naoto Kan said Friday on the sidelines of a United Nations global summit that China and Japan both have crucial international responsibilities and are important neighbors.
Kan didn’t directly address how ties would be affected by a heated diplomatic clash over Japan’s arrest of a Chinese fishing boat captain near islands both Japan and China claim as their own.
Japan has released the captain in the face of Chinese pressure.
Kan met with President Barack Obama during the U.N. meetings. China’s premier wouldn’t meet with the Japanese leader.
Beijing also suspended ministerial-level dialogue with Tokyo.
