Chinese, Japanese Vice FMs to meet on ties

BEIJING - A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed on Monday that China and Japan will hold a vice ministerial level consultation on bilateral relations.

"As requested by the Japanese, China agrees to receive Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Chikao Kawai to visit from September 24 to 25", spokesman Hong Lei announced at a press conference.

According to Hong, Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun will hold talks with Kawai on bilateral relations, especially on the issue concerning the Diaoyu Islands.

"During the consultations, the Chinese will state its solemn position on the Diaoyu Islands issue, urge the Japanese to correct its wrongdoing and make efforts to improve ties," Hong said.

Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have soured in the aftermath of Japan's "nationalization plan" earlier this month of the Diaoyu Islands,  which China regards as an infringement of its territorial sovereignty over the islands.