China hopes for new Japan envoy to play ‘positive role’

China expects the new Japanese ambassador to play a positive role in improving the strained relationship between the countries, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Monday.

At a daily press briefing, Hua Chunying said, "We've noticed some of the new Japanese ambassador's positive remarks. We expect him to be committed to improving China-Japan relations."

Incoming Japanese ambassador to China Masato Kitera is due to arrive in Beijing this week.

Hua said China hoped Kitera could "gain a better understanding of China through active engagement with the Chinese people, and make positive efforts to properly deal with the difficulties and problems faced by the two countries."

Hua reiterated China's position on the Diaoyu Islands as clear and consistent.

"We are ready to handle the current situation through negotiations with the Japanese government," she said. "However, our determination to safeguard our territorial sovereignty is unswerving."

The territory dispute over the Diaoyu Islands has soured relations between Asia's two biggest economies, with neither side willing to budge after months of wrangling.

"My mission number one is to improve the Japan-China relationship," Kitera told public broadcaster NHK.

"I will explain to China's senior officials we need to make economic ties warmer if our political relationship is cooling, as Japanese corporate activities in China are contributing to the Chinese economy," Kitera said. "It is important to boost exchanges so as to ease public sentiment against each other," he added.

The dispute flared badly in September after Tokyo "nationalized" the islands, triggering protests across China.

Global Times - Agencies