Xi calls for constructive, stable China-Japan relations

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that China is ready to work with Japan in building a constructive and stable relationship that meets the requirements of the new era.

Xi made the remarks in his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

"I am very happy to meet Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in person, and congratulations on your election again. After taking office, you said that you will advance the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit so as to bring more benefits to people of the two countries, and I appreciate this. I am willing to strengthen communication and coordination with you to jointly push China-Japan relations along the right track and make steady and long-term progress," Xi said. "At present, the international and regional situations are rapidly changing and turbulent, and China-Japan relations are at a critical stage of improvement and development. China and Japan are close neighbors and important countries in Asia and the world, and our bilateral relations bear significance beyond bilateral dimension. The Chinese side is ready to work with Japan in accordance with the principles and directions set out in the four political documents between China and Japan, and adhere to the important consensus that China and Japan are cooperative partners rather than threats to each other. We shall make joint efforts to comprehensively advance the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit, and strive to build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era," Xi said.

Sixty-seven-year-old Ishiba was reelected as Japan's 103rd prime minister on Monday after securing the most votes in both houses of the Japanese Diet.

This year's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting is being held on Friday and Saturday under the theme "Empower, Include, Grow", gathering heads of state and other dignitaries from 21 member economies across the Asia-Pacific region, including China, the United States, and other major economies in Southeast Asia.

Xi calls for constructive, stable China-Japan relations

Xi calls for constructive, stable China-Japan relations

The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza had risen to 43,764 and the total injuries reached 103,490, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement released on Friday.

In the past 24 hours, Israeli military operations in Gaza caused 28 deaths and 120 injuries, the statement said.

Palestinian sources reported that on Friday evening, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched strikes across several areas in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, killing at least 13 people and injuring many others.

At present, the Israeli side has made no response to these attacks.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said in a statement that its members attacked Israeli troops in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza and killed three Israeli soldiers.

Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks in Gaza rises to 43,764