中日舉行四年來的首次高層安全會談

China and Japan have held high-level security talks for the first time in four years, another step toward mending ties that were severely damaged over a territorial dispute.

The deputy foreign ministers of both countries met Thursday in Tokyo for a day of talks, with both sides expressing hope for continued improvement in relations.

"Ties between Japan and China have been making a gradual advance since last year's summit meeting but there still are concerns over each other's security policy," said Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama. "The best way to dissolve concerns is to hold direct dialogue."

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao also stressed the importance of dialogue, "as the two sides are important neighbors and regional powers."

The talks, which also included defense officials, had been held regularly since 1993 but were canceled in 2012 after Japan nationalized a group of islands claimed by both countries.中國和日本舉行了四年來的首次高層安全會談，朝着修復雙邊關係又邁出了一步。由於領土爭端，中日兩國之間的關係受到嚴重損害。

中國外長助理和日本副外相星期四在東京舉行了一天會談，雙方都表示希望繼續改善兩國關係。

日本副外相杉山晉輔說：“自去年日中首腦會晤以來，雙邊關係逐步取得進展，但彼此仍對對方的安全政策存在顧慮。消除顧慮的最佳途徑就是進行直接對話。”

中國外長助理劉建超也強調說，中日兩國互爲重要鄰國，而且都是地區強國，因此對話具有重要意義。

自1993年以來，中日兩國定期舉行包括防務官員在內的會談，但日本2012年將雙方都宣稱擁有主權的一些島嶼國有化後，雙邊會談被取消。