Sources told Japan’s Kyodo news agency on Sunday that plans were underway for the inaugural summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who took office early last month.

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China to ‘gradually’ lift ban on Japanese seafood imports, but remains opposed to Fukushima rejection

China to ‘gradually’ lift ban on Japanese seafood imports, but remains opposed to Fukushima rejection

The inaugural summit would represent a crucial opportunity to advance their strategic and mutually beneficial relations and improve communication on issues of common concern.

A previous Kyodo report said the meeting would “most likely” take place in Peru, citing a source with knowledge of the matter.

Ishiba is expected to advocate for a rapid resumption of Japanese seafood exports to China, following a September deal to gradually lift the ban, and will seek to advance economic dialogue at ministerial level between the two countries, according to the report.

The diplomatic basis for this month’s high-level engagement follows a series of preparatory discussions, including a telephone conversation between Wang and Akiba on October 21.