Monday, Dec. 26, 2011

BEIJING — Japan and China agreed Sunday to work together to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, a week after the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il alarmed the world and sparked fears about regional security.

Agreeing to agree: Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (left) and Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao shake hands at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. KYODO

During an 85-minute meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda also called for Beijing's cooperation in resolving the abduction issue with Pyongyang. North Korea, which has no diplomatic ties with Tokyo, says the issue has been settled and that any other Japanese citizens abducted by its agents in the past are long dead.

"Peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is a common interest for both Japan and China," Noda told Wen at the outset of their meeting, expressing a willingness to frankly exchange views with the Chinese leader on abduction, nuclear and missile issues related to North Korea.

It is the first summit Japan has held with a member of the six-party talks on denuclearizing North Korea since Kim's death was announced.

Wen also agreed to lend a giant panda to a zoo in Sendai to raise morale in disaster-hit Miyagi Prefecture.

Since bilateral ties have been souring over maritime issues in the East China Sea for over a year, Noda and Wen agreed on setting up a new mechanism to discuss maritime security.

Noda and Wen also agreed to work on strengthening a strategic relationship of mutual benefit.

This is Noda's first visit to Beijing since taking office Sept. 2. The summit comes at a time of rocky relations due in part to a maritime spat over collisions between a Chinese trawler and Japan Coast Guard ships last year near the Japan-held Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

Noda and Wen agreed on the plan to set up a maritime crisis mechanism, which would involve the foreign ministries, coast guards and other relevant organizations of each country.

As for pending matters, Noda and Wen confirmed that China will move forward on easing import restrictions on Japanese food imposed because of radiation fears related to the Fukushima No. 1 power plant crisis.

Noda meanwhile called for promptly resuming bilateral talks on signing a treaty on a joint gas development project in the East China Sea.

Noda was initially scheduled to visit Beijing from Dec. 12 to 13, but the trip was canceled at the last minute at China's request for domestic reasons.

This means Noda's trip came "at a good time" because Tokyo needs to seek the cooperation of neighboring countries, including China and South Korea, to maintain regional security and stability, a Japanese government official said.

Noda is scheduled to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday.

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