Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, February 4th. The twelfth round of China-Japan maritime affairs high-level consultations was held on the 3rd by video.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, the Central Foreign Affairs Office, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the National Energy Administration, the China Coast Guard and other departments as well as the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cabinet Secretariat, Fisheries Department, Resources and Energy The Ministry, the Coast Guard, the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Defense respectively sent personnel to participate.

　　Prior to this, the two sides had held heads of delegation talks on January 20.

On the basis of the heads of delegation's talks, this consultation held a plenary meeting of the mechanism and three working group meetings of maritime defense, maritime law enforcement and security, and maritime economy. They exchanged extensive and in-depth views on maritime issues and maritime exchanges and cooperation.

　　The two sides confirmed that they will fully implement the consensus reached by the leaders of China and Japan and the four-point principled consensus, properly handle contradictions and differences through dialogue, pragmatically promote cooperation in the maritime field, and work together to build the East China Sea into a sea of ​​peace, cooperation and friendship.

The two sides emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the East China Sea and agreed to convene the annual meeting and special meeting of the maritime and air liaison mechanism of the defense sector as soon as possible to accelerate the launch of the direct telephone construction process under the mechanism, strengthen crisis management and control, and prevent unexpected events.

The two sides are willing to continue to discuss cooperation in the development of resources in the East China Sea based on the principled consensus on the East China Sea issue previously reached.

　　The Chinese side reiterated its solemn position on the Diaoyu Islands issue and requested the Japanese side to avoid actions that complicate the situation.

China urges Japan to earnestly implement the "China-Japan Fishery Agreement" arrangements and work with China to maintain fishery order in relevant waters.

The Chinese side introduced the relevant content of the "Maritime Police Law of the People's Republic of China" upon inquiry, and emphasized that the enactment of this law is China's normal legislative activity and is fully in line with international law and international practice.

　　The two parties reached the following consensus on specific maritime cooperation: First, under the framework of the China-Japan Maritime Search and Rescue Agreement, promote the China Maritime Search and Rescue Center and the Japan Coast Guard to strengthen cooperation between local offices and carry out various forms of joint exercises.

　　The second is to support further cooperation between the China Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard in combating maritime crimes and the exchange of law enforcement personnel.

　　The third is to strengthen marine environmental protection exchanges.

The two sides confirmed the consensus reached at the “Second Meeting of the China-Japan Marine Garbage Cooperation Expert Dialogue Platform and the Second China-Japan Marine Garbage Seminar” to further develop cooperation in the prevention and control of marine plastic garbage.

　　The fourth is to continue to carry out mutual visits of maritime personnel from the diplomatic departments, promote exchanges among young cadres of maritime affairs, and support exchanges and cooperation between maritime think tanks, academic and educational institutions.

　　The fifth is to strengthen cooperation on combating illegal fishing, promoting eel resource management and the conservation of North Pacific fishery resources.

　　The two parties also exchanged views on marine resources and energy, wastewater treatment at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan, marine technology, and marine industry cooperation.

　　The two sides agreed in principle to hold the 13th round of high-level consultations on maritime affairs between China and Japan within this year.

At the same time, the heads of the two parties maintain close communication according to work needs, manage differences, and promote cooperation.