After several failed attempts to arrange a teleconference, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida was finally able to speak with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on Monday as Tokyo seeks to defrost chilly bilateral ties.

In their first talks since North Korea’s January nuclear test, Kishida said he spoke with Wang for about 45 minutes, adding that both parties agreed to work closely on implementing new United Nations sanctions on Pyongyang approved earlier this month.

Kishida also said the two countries agreed to cooperate on arranging a diplomatic schedule, including his visit to China. Kishida has repeatedly expressed a desire to visit the country by the end of this spring.