Japan seeks talks with China at November summit

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s top spokesman says the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November in Beijing would be a good opportunity for Japanese and Chinese leaders to hold their first talks in 1 ½ years amid sour relations.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Friday that the summit would provide a “natural” environment for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping to meet on the sidelines.

He says the world’s second and third largest economics must act as responsible members of the international community.

Relations between Japan and China have been tense over island disputes in the East China Sea and wartime history.