China-Japan relations: defence chiefs discuss East China Sea tensions
- Japan’s Nobuo Kishi voices concern about Chinese vessels in waters near the Senkaku Islands, also known as the Diaoyus
- The dispute is the biggest stumbling block in bilateral ties, observer says
The phone call was the first discussion between Chinese Minister of National Defence Wei Fenghe and his Japanese counterpart Nobuo Kishi since Kishi took office in September.
The call also covered the creation of an emergency hotline to better manage potential crises between the two countries, especially over the islands, which are claimed by both countries.
Wei congratulated Kishi on his appointment and called for more high-level defence exchanges, cooperation and multilateral coordination, and for the faster progress on the communication mechanism, according to the Chinese defense ministry.
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Diaoyu-Senkaku islands spat deepens as Japan warns China over coastguard ships in East China Sea
“On the issues of the East China Sea and the Diaoyu Islands, China‘s determination to defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime interests is unshakeable,” Wei was quoted as saying.
