China urges Japan to 'walk the talk' on improving ties

BEIJING -- China on Tuesday called on Japan to follow through with its intentions to advance relations and make concrete actions to improve bilateral relationship.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida delivered a speech on Sino-Japanese relations on April 25, making positive comments about improving and developing the relations in the future. Issues like China's military growth and maritime activities also figured in the speech.

"We have noted the positive signals sent by Foreign Minister Kishida in his speech. It is hoped the Japanese side would walk the talk and make concrete efforts to improve and develop bilateral relationships," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a regular news briefing.

"However, it is regrettable that the Japanese side continues to point fingers at China on some issues," Hua said.

She said China sticks to a path of peaceful development and pursues a defense policy that is defensive in nature, and that China's strategic intentions are transparent.

China's activities in the East China Sea and South China Sea are justified and legitimate, and thus beyond reproach, Hua said, specifically telling Japan to not to meddle in the South China Sea issue.