China-Japan held talks for the first time in two years during APEC Summit in Beijing

President of China Xi Jinping and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe held talks on 10 November 2014 on the sidelines of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Beijing, China.

This was the first meeting in two years between the leaders of the two countries and it was also the first meeting of Xi and Abe since they assumed office. Last time the leaders of the two countries met in 2011.

During their meeting, Abe and Xi agreed to start work on maritime crisis management, to prevent clashes in the East China Sea. 

Besides, Japanese Prime Minister also asked for the early installation of a hotline that could help defuse possible clashes between Chinese and Japanese vessels in waters around the islands.

Comment 

The meeting of two Asian giants comes at a time when patrol ships and fighter jets from both countries shadow each other regularly near the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea that are controlled by Japan, but also claimed by Beijing.

The meeting also is significant as it may help defuse the strained relationship between China and Japan which has nosedived in the past two years.

This was the first meeting in two years between the leaders of the two countries and it was also the first meeting of Xi and Abe since they assumed office. Last time the leaders of the two countries met in 2011.

During their meeting, Abe and Xi agreed to start work on maritime crisis management, to prevent clashes in the East China Sea. 

Besides, Japanese Prime Minister also asked for the early installation of a hotline that could help defuse possible clashes between Chinese and Japanese vessels in waters around the islands.

Comment 

The meeting of two Asian giants comes at a time when patrol ships and fighter jets from both countries shadow each other regularly near the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea that are controlled by Japan, but also claimed by Beijing.

The meeting also is significant as it may help defuse the strained relationship between China and Japan which has nosedived in the past two years.