Beijing, Tokyo emphasize key role of healthy, stable relations

China and Japan reiterated their emphasis on maintaining the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties, despite recent fluctuations, as the nations' two top diplomats met in New York on Monday.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa that advancing the strategic, mutually beneficial relationship between China and Japan is a shared responsibility of the two sides.

The diplomats are in New York for the United Nations Summit of the Future and the general debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

Wang said that China will investigate and handle the isolated case of the fatal stabbing of a Japanese schoolboy in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, in accordance with the law, calling on Japan to view the incident in a calm and rational manner and avoid politicizing and exaggerating the incident.

Wang added that China will continue to ensure the safety of all foreign citizens in China.

The death of the 10-year-old Japanese boy, who was stabbed on his way to school, has caused widespread grief and outrage in both countries.

Police have detained a 44-year-old male suspect, who was apprehended at the scene of the attack. Shenzhen police said the investigation into the case is ongoing, and initial findings indicate that it was an isolated incident.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged ideas on the discharge into the ocean of nuclear-contaminated water from the disabled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

Wang again expressed China's opposition to the discharges, saying that Beijing's position is entirely justified.

Since Japan has agreed to accept long-term international monitoring arrangements and independent sampling and monitoring by relevant countries, including China, it should honor its commitments without complicating matters, he said.

Kamikawa said that Japan puts an emphasis on its relationship with China, and she highlighted the need for ongoing dialogue in various areas and at various levels, including negotiations on the solution to the nuclear-contaminated water and jointly safeguarding regional peace and development.

The important foundation of the bilateral relationship lies in exchanges between the two peoples, Kamikawa said, adding that she hopes China will properly handle the case of the Japanese boy and ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in China.

On Monday, Vice-Foreign Minister Sun Weidong held talks in Beijing with Yoshifumi Tsuge, Japan's state minister for foreign affairs, on bilateral relations as well as the tragic incident in Shenzhen.

Cai Liang, director of the Shanghai Institute for International Studies' Northeast Asia Research Center, said that intense discussions between China and Japan on the case showed that both countries believe that high-level communication plays a key role in stabilizing ties and preventing deterioration.

He said that it is important to recognize the multifaceted nature of China-Japan relations, and that while there are differences, there also are constructive aspects that underpin the bilateral ties.

"The essence of diplomacy lies in minimizing conflicts and maximizing mutual interests, which makes close and consistent communication very crucial," he said.

The bilateral agreement on the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water, reached last week, signifies pragmatic progress that aligns with the consensus reached by the two nations' leaders last year, he said.

It is indisputable that China's requests are reasonable and take into consideration the health of its people, Cai said.

Tackling the issue of releasing nuclear-contaminated water is viewed as the first step in addressing challenges in China-Japan relations and is a positive sign, he added.