Japan, China FM's meet for first time since spat

TOKYO, July 23: Japan's foreign minister said Thursday he met with his Chinese counterpart in what Japanese media said was their first talks since a spat erupted in November over Prime Minister SanaeTakaichi's comments about Taiwan.

Japanese Foreign Minister ToshimitsuMotegi "discussed bilateral relations" with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday afternoon, Motegi told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers in Manila.

"I believe it's extremely important that we continue to maintain our dialogue," he said.

Long-tense relations between Japan and China have worsened since Takaichi suggested in November that Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on self-ruled Taiwan.

China, which views Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out taking it by force, reacted angrily, imposing trade restrictions and telling its citizens not to visit Japan.�" AFP