A nonpartisan group of Japanese lawmakers has urged Chinese leaders to take steps to prevent violations of Japanese airspace by Chinese military aircraft.
Ten members of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians’ Union are currently visiting China.
The group is headed by Nikai Toshihiro, a former secretary-general of Japan’s main ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
On Wednesday, the group met Zhao Leji, who ranks third in the Chinese Communist Party and is chairperson of the National People’s Congress.
Nikai told reporters after the meeting that the group conveyed disappointment over a Chinese military plane’s entry into Japan’s territorial airspace on Monday, the first time Japan has confirmed such an intrusion. The group also strongly called for measures to prevent a recurrence.
Zhao reportedly said that China has no intention of intruding into another country’s airspace, and expressed hope that relevant authorities would communicate appropriately.
Nikai also asked the Chinese side to quickly resume short-stay visa waivers for Japanese nationals, which were halted because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Zhao reportedly said China understands, respects and attaches importance to Japan’s request.
The two sides affirmed they would step up exchanges and continue dialogue to resolve differences in opinions.
The Japanese lawmakers are scheduled to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi later on Wednesday and return to Japan on Thursday.