BEIJING — China-Japan defense exchanges and cooperation are important components of bilateral relations, a Ministry of National Defense spokesperson said on April 25.

At present, China-Japan relations have come back on track, said ministry spokesperson Ren Guoqiang, citing examples including the destroyer JS Suzutsuki (DD-117) taking part in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, as well as an official Japanese military delegation visiting China.

China is willing to work with the Japanese side to implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, enhance exchanges of the two defense establishments, properly manage and control differences, and enhance mutual trust to create favorable conditions to push forward China-Japan relations in the new era and make contributions to regional pace and development, Ren added.