Secret talks held over Diaoyu Islands_美文_趣味英语-查字典英语网

Secret talks held over Diaoyu Islands

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Chinese and Japanese diplomats met secretly over the weekend to discuss the Diaoyu Islands, Tokyo confirmed on Wednesday, in a sign that lines of communication remain open between the two countries.

The meeting between the vice-ministers of foreign affairs, the second in a month, came as relations experienced a period of severe turbulence after Japan "purchased" the islands in September.

Despite the meeting, reports emerged on Wednesday that Japanese Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto watched a drill simulating the landing on an uninhabited island. The Japanese media said the drill was "targeting China".

Japanese Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Chikao Kawai met Chinese officials, including his counterpart, Zhang Zhijun, in Shanghai over the weekend to discuss the Diaoyu Islands, Japanese media said on Wednesday.

Kyodo News reported that the two nations agreed to "enhance communication".

"I am aware of the reports," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said at a regular news conference in Tokyo.

"That was part of the communication going on between Japan and China in various forms and at various levels. It just shows we are in constant contact at many levels."

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Wednesday in Beijing that the countries had always been in contact, especially over the Diaoyu Islands.

Relations plunged after the Japanese government "purchased" the islands from a Japanese "owner" last month, triggering massive protests and calls to boycott Japanese products across China.