ASEAN, Japan leaders' talks must not target any country — China
​China is seeing nothing wrong with the upcoming talks between leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan as long as the gathering will not target any other country.
Beijing believes that cooperation should enhance "mutual trust between countries in the region" and "promote common development," Mao Ning, spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, said in her regular briefing on Friday.
She added that such cooperation must also contribute to peace and stability in the region.
"No cooperation should target any third party," Mao said.
Leaders from ASEAN and Japan are meeting in Tokyo over the weekend for the Commemorative Summit on the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.
The summit's website said leaders will celebrate their cooperation by implementing exchange programs in a wide range of fields, including politics, economy, culture, youth exchanges, and tourism.
"The ASEAN-Japan Centre will encourage exchanges between related organizations and the private sector and aim for initiatives that combine the public and private sectors," it added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said other topics that may be raised include the maritime disputes in the South China Sea and East China Sea—which directly concern China—and the situation in Myanmar and North Korea.