China to hold bilateral dialogue, consultations with Japan, ROK

BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- China hopes to enhance communication, promote cooperation and advance the sound and steady development of China-Japan and China-the Republic of Korea (ROK) relations through bilateral dialogue, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks during a press briefing while responding to queries about upcoming visits by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu to Japan and ROK.

The Chinese vice foreign minister will hold the 16th round of China-Japan strategic dialogue with Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Masataka Okano in Tokyo, and the 10th round of high-level strategic dialogue between the foreign ministries of China and the ROK with ROK Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong-kyun in Seoul from July 21 to 25, the spokesperson said, adding that the specific arrangements for the meetings are still under discussion between the two sides.

Lin noted that these dialogues are institutionalized arrangements for consultations between China and Japan, and between China and the ROK, during which both sides will engage in in-depth exchanges on bilateral relations, as well as international and regional issues of common interest.

The spokesperson said that relevant information on these meetings will be released in a timely manner.