China and the European Union (EU) have maintained smooth communication on economic and trade issues, He Yadong, spokesman with China's Ministry of Commerce, said in Beijing on Thursday.
He was responding to a media query during a press briefing concerning the latest progress in China-EU economic and trade negotiations.
"The China-EU communication in the economic and trade field remains smooth. On June 9, China's Vice Minister of Commerce Ling Ji, also the deputy China international trade representative, met with Ditte Juul Jorgensen, director-general for Trade and Economic Security of the European Commission, at the EU headquarters. The two sides conducted in-depth and comprehensive discussions on matters related to the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism and got prepared for the planned ministerial-level consultations in the near future," he said.
"During the meeting, the European side noted that a trade war is not the objective of its policy toward China and expressed a positive attitude toward engaging in constructive dialogue between China and EU. China is willing to work with EU to implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two sides, properly manage differences and resolve frictions through dialogue and consultation, advance practical cooperation, and promote the sound and stable development of bilateral economic and trade relations," added He.
China, EU maintain smooth communication on economic, trade issue: spokesman
More than 10,000 people gathered outside Japan's National Diet in Tokyo on Friday to protest the government's moves toward expanding military capabilities and revising the country's pacifist constitution.
On June 9, Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party approved a draft proposal on revising the country's three key security documents later this year, according to Kyodo News. The proposal, formalized at the party's decision-making General Council, called for securing necessary funding to transform Japan's defense capabilities within five years.
Some other conservative parties in Japan also proposed amendments to Article 9 of the constitution -- the "peace clause" that renounces war and bans "war potential", during constitutional review meetings.
"I was taught when I was young that Article 9 of the constitution is very important for keeping Japan from becoming involved in war. Now the sudden move to revise it makes me feel fearful. So to express my feelings, I came here to protest the revision," said a protester.
The protest also targeted specific policy proposals, including potential changes to restrictions that limit arms exports.
As far as the issues of war and weapons exports are concerned, Japan has followed its own historical path since the end of World War II. But what [Prime Minister Sanae] Takaichi is trying to do now is to reset this period of history back to zero. Unfortunately, some people support this approach, but I do not. I hope Japan will not take that [terrible] step again," said a protester.
"If we continue to strengthen military power, it will only worsen Japan's relations with neighboring countries. The government should not take this approach," said another protester.
Thousands protest against Japan's military expansion, constitutional revision
