December 7, 2017

Japan and China have agreed to begin operating a hotline to avoid accidental conflict in the East China Sea in another sign of improving ties between the two nations.

Several sources in the Japanese and Chinese governments said that an agreement in principle was made during discussions held in Shanghai on Dec. 5-6.

Shinzo Abe was in his first stint as prime minister in 2007 when the agreement was made with then-Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to begin discussions for a direct communications link between the Self-Defense Forces and the Chinese military to avoid a clash in the waters and over the airspace of the East China Sea.

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http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201712070030.html