Bangkok: Chinese President Xi Jinping was unexpectedly amicable in his summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday, but they failed to narrow their differences over issues such as tensions over the East China Sea and Taiwan.

A Japanese government source said that Xi “had a tone that was more positive than expected” at the summit with Kishida in Bangkok where the two leaders agreed to strengthen communication in the security field and promote economic cooperation and human exchanges.

The meeting marked the first face-to-face talks between Kishida and Xi.

Kishida told Xi that Japan and China “have huge responsibilities for the peace and prosperity of the region as well as the international community” and stressed both sides “should accelerate their efforts to build a constructive and stable Japan-China relationship,” according to the Japanese government.

Xi responded by saying that the importance of Japan-China ties has not changed, and that he wants to create a relationship that meets the demands of a new era.

Kishida and Xi agreed to open a hotline between their defense officials at an early date in order to avoid accidental conflicts, and to resume bilateral security talks.

The two leaders agreed to continue summit-level talks and accelerate preparations for a visit to China by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi.

They also agreed to oppose the use of nuclear weapons in Russia’s war in Ukraine, and confirmed close cooperation in responding to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threat.

Xi was all smiles when he shook hands with Kishida during a photo session ahead of the meeting.

A Japanese government source said that the Chinese leader was “constantly grinning” during the talks as well.

A senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official said that Xi may have “switched to active diplomacy mode, turning over a new leaf in ties with other countries” after cementing a third term in power last month.

Nevertheless, the two sides made no strides on pending issues between Japan and China.

Kishida expressed grave concern about Chinese intrusions into Japanese waters around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea and about ballistic missile launches around Taiwan, stressing the need for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Xi said that maritime and territorial issues need to be managed appropriately, and that China will not allow foreign interference in domestic affairs.

A senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official welcomed the amicable tone from Xi, predicting that “things will get busy, in a good way.”

Meanwhile, a member of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party who specializes in defense issues said that Kishida did not gain results from the summit. “We’ll be playing right into their hands if we try to cozy up to them,” the member said of China.

JIJI Press