Hopes fade for Sino-Japan summit over disputed Diaoyu Islands
Top-level talks to resolve territorial dispute over East China Sea islands 'unlikely' says Beijing envoy, as relations with Japan reach 'critical point'
China's envoy to Japan said that a high-level summit soon between top leaders of the two nations was unlikely, setting a pessimistic tone for bilateral ties that have been plagued by territorial disputes.
But he said communications and even cultural exchanges have been affected by an East China Sea dispute over the Diaoyu Islands, known as the Senkakus in Japan.
"The atmosphere facing bilateral ties between the two countries is at a very critical point now," Cheng said on the sidelines of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference annual session on Sunday.
"There are no plans now to hold a high-level bilateral summit between leaders of the two nations."
Tensions started to flare up in September, when Japan said it would purchase three of the five uninhabited islands from a private citizen, triggering a furious response from Beijing. At the time, Vice-President Xi Jinping even described the purchase as a farce.
Bilateral ties appeared to be improving after a visit to Beijing in January by Natsuo Yamaguchi, an envoy of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. During his meeting with Xi, Yamaguchi called for a high-level summit between the nations.