Premier Li Keqiang on Friday noted that the bilateral relationship between China and Japan continues to be fraught with "challenges" despite the willingness of both sides to improve ties.

Premier Li made this statement during a meeting with the head of Japan's National Security Council, Shotaro Yachi, in Beijing. He explained that it is important for the relationship between both countries to be improved, not just for the benefit of the two sides, but also for the security and prosperity of the entire region.

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The relationship between the powerful East China Sea neighbors has been severely affected by the refusal of Japan to admit its wartime atrocities against China and other Asian countries. The two nations are also embroiled in a territorial dispute over the Diaoyu Islands.

Premier Li, who described the ties between China and Japan as "sensitive," urged Japan to continue to pursue a policy of peaceful development. He further called on Japan to fulfill its commitment to take responsibility and address the effects of its wartime atrocities on other Asian nations.

According to Japan Times, Yachi spoke of the importance of resuming the annual trilateral summit between both countries and South Korea. He also noted that Japan is committed to strengthening ties with China.

During his three-day visit to China, Yachi reached an agreement with Chinese authorities on how to deal with the territorial dispute between both nations and improve ties in various sectors.

The meeting between the top officials from both countries comes a day after Japanese lawmakers approved a series contentious security bills. The regulations, which have been opposed by several protesters and critics, will allow Japanese forces fight overseas for the first time since World War II to defend the interest of her allies.

Shortly after Japan's lower House of Representatives passed the bill on Thursday, the spokesperson for China's foreign ministry Hua Chunying, described the move as "unprecedented." She went on to caution Japan to consider the opposition against the bills and avoid compromising "China's sovereignty and security interests or crippling regional peace and stability."

China's Minister of Defense Chang Wanquan, who met with Yachi on Friday, has also expressed similar concerns. He noted that Japan's new security bills would affect regional security and warned Japanese authorities not to jeopardize regional peace and stability, CCTV reported.

Yachi has noted that the country's latest security regulations are not directed at a particular country. Japanese officials who attended the meeting told Japan Times that Yachi expressed concerns over China's activities in the East and South China Sea as well as the country's military expansion.

TagsChina-Japan relations, China-Japan conflict, Shotaro Yachi in China, Premier Li Keqiang Shotaro Yachi, China Japan Island Dispute, Japan security bill, Japan South China Sea Dispute, Shotaro Yachi