New Japan PM had 1st phone meeting with Xi Jinping

New Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday expressed ir commitment to work closely toger by holding high-level meetings, but did t discuss possibility of a visit by Xi to Japan.

“I told (Xi) that stability of Japan-China relations is crucial, t only for two countries but also for region and for international society,” Suga told reporters after ir phone conversation.

His talks with Xi late Friday were his first since taking office just over a week ago, replacing Shinzo Abe, who resigned due to poor health.

A planned visit by Xi to Japan last April was indefinitely postponed because of coronavirus pandemic. plan h triggered protests even within Japan's governing party because of China’s tightening of controls over Hong Kong and its assertive actions in regional seas.

“We did t discuss (Xi's) possible visit to Japan,” Suga said.

However, leers agreed to hold summits and or high-level meetings to cooperate in bilateral, regional and international issues, he said.