Japan and China talk up cooperation, sidestep tensions

Source: Reuters

BEIJING, April 30 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso held out agreements on fighting the financial crisis, global warming and swine flu as evidence of deepening ties with sometime rival China on Thursday, sidestepping tensions over the past.

At the end of his two-day visit to Beijing, Aso told reporters he and China's leaders also agreed on seeking an early restart of six-party talks to end North Korea's nuclear weapons programme, which has raised regional tensions.

But Chinese President Hu Jintao did not appear to offer Aso much hope of an early end to North Korean threats.

"The six-party talks are facing a difficult phase," Hu told Aso, a Japanese official told reporters after the meeting. The official spoke on condition of anonymity.



Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKPEK31947520090430