Japan Trade Minister Holds Brief Talks With Chinese Counterpart

Japan's trade minister Ryosei Akazawa and China's commerce minister Wang Wentao spoke briefly during a dinner of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation trade chiefs in Suzhou, China, on Friday. The conversation was the first ministerial-level exchange between the two nations since a diplomatic standoff began in November.

Akazawa is the most senior Japanese official to visit China since the dispute started.

Akazawa told reporters on Saturday that he approached Wang at the official dinner. "At the official dinner, as I began walking toward the main table, Minister Wang was sitting there alone," Akazawa said. " He declined to disclose the topics discussed. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ministerial meetings continued in Suzhou on Friday.