Defense ministers' line helps manage China-Japan ties

Defense ministers of China and Japan held a conversation through a direct telephone line for the first time as part of a maritime and aerial communication mechanism on Tuesday, China's Ministry of National Defense said.

"On the afternoon of May 16, State Councilor and Defense Minister Li Shangfu for the first time held a telephone conversation with Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada via a direct telephone line within the framework of the maritime and air communication mechanism of the defense ministries of the two countries, exchanging views on the defense relations between the two countries," the ministry said in a statement.

According to the ministry, the establishment and use of the direct telephone line is "a practical measure to implement the important consensus of the leaders of the two countries", which will "effectively enrich the communication channels between the defense departments of the two countries", "strengthen the crisis management capabilities of the two sides in sea and air", and "further contribute to maintaining regional peace and stability".