Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao and the head of the Keidanren business lobby agreed Wednesday to expand bilateral economic cooperation despite continuing political tensions.
"Although China and Japan are currently fighting about historical issues" and over which country controls a group of islands in the East China Sea, "we have to advance our business activities," Li told Keidanren Chairman Hiromasa Yonekura as they began talks in Beijing. The group is also called the Japan Business Federation.
The meeting took place amid accusations between Tokyo and Beijing about aggressive flying tactics allegedly used by Chinese fighter jets when they intercepted SDF planes over the weekend over the East China Sea.