Japan's new ambassador to China confident on future work

Japan's new ambassador to China, Masato Kitera, has expressed confidence about his future work. In an interview with CCTV, he was told that some have used the word "sick" to describe the relations between China and Japan. Kitera expressed optimism that ties will be highly improved through steady diplomatic efforts.

Masato Kitera, Japanese Ambassador to China, said, "I think the analogy is still very vivid. I believe that if it is sick, we need to find the cause and treat it, and then the Sino-Japanese relations can be restored and develop further. When it comes to the territorial issue, it is difficult for either side to make concessions. The Foreign Ministries of both China and Japan continue negotiations on this issue. The Japanese government has always stressed that Japan wants a peaceful solution to this issue."

Kitera will take up his new post on December the 25th. He says the first thing he needs to do in Beijing is to work for better relations between China and Japan. He says he will communicate with the Chinese people from all walks of life. He notes the cooling of relations now hurts the two countries' economies and people-to-people relations.

Kitera says the cooperation between the world's second and third largest economies, is already very deep and wide. He says deepening Sino-Japanese relations will truly benefit the two peoples.