Repairing relations

Saturday, on the sidelines of the APEC summit, Japanese host leader Prime Minister Naoto Kan met with leaders from China and Russia while "beginning twin diplomatic repair jobs," the Washington Post commented.

Hu held a 22-minute meeting with his Japanese counterpart, the first since recent maritime disputes broke out between the two countries.

Hu stressed that "it is a right choice, in the interests of both peoples of China and Japan, to follow a road of peace, friendship and cooperation."

Kan said he was in full agreement with Hu's opinions on developing Sino- Japanese relations.

He also said he hoped that the two sides would strengthen communications and cooperation in various fields and further improve and develop bilateral relations.

The Kyodo News Agency said in its Chinese edition Sunday that "the brief 22-minute meeting only underscored the difficulties in repairing chilly ties between the two countries."

Wu Huaizhong, a researcher with the Institute of Japanese Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that "Japan is unlikely to make any progress in its diplomatic affairs and is certain to squander ties-repairing opportunities until it adjusts its current volatile foreign policy."

Confronted by social conflicts, political instability and inconsistent foreign policy, Japan has failed to take a clear path on diplomacy since the end of the Cold War, Wu said.

He added that Japan's current foreign policy will have a negative impact on its relationships with regional counterparts.

During his meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Kan brought up the territorial dispute but was told by Russia to abandon its emotional stance on the issue and talk business instead, Reuters reported.