Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a brief encounter on the sidelines of the U.N. climate change conference Monday, reaffirmed efforts at improving bilateral relations, a senior Japanese official said.
Abe told Xi about his meeting with Premier Li Keqiang in Seoul on Nov. 1, saying that they "had a good exchange of views," the official said. Citing his recent meetings with a group of high school students and a business organization from China, Abe was quoted as saying, "We hope to see cooperation advanced further through such interchanges of people."
Acknowledging that the two countries share values, Xi said, "It's important for us to continue deepening the favorable atmosphere and toward that end, I hope to see mutually sensitive issues addressed rightly and the relationship cherished," according to the official.
Xi noted that he sees "changing signs" in bilateral relations, the official said.
The talk, during which they remained standing, lasted roughly four minutes, the official said.
Abe also exchanged greetings with South Korean President Park Geun-hye at one of the climate change meetings. Officials did not disclose details of this meeting, saying only that it was brief.
Abe and Park met Nov. 2 for the first time since taking office years before.
Abe also had a brief talk with Park and exchanged greetings with Xi at a Group of 20 meeting in Turkey on Nov. 15.