Japan ruling party urges cancellation of Xi's invite

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling party has adopted a resolution urging the government cancel a visit to Japan by Chinese President Xi Jinping following the implementation of a national security law for Hong Kong.

The Liberal Democratic Party's diplomatic panel chief Yasuhide Nakayama told reporters "we have no choice but urge (the government) to cancel President Xi's state visit."

The resolution also condemns Beijing's implementation last week of the national security law for semi-autonomous Hong Kong.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, the top spokesman for Abe's government, said the timing was not appropriate to arrange details of Xi's visit and nothing has been decided.

Suga said the government's position was that Japan and China should resolve outstanding issues through high level talks including those between the leaders.

He declined to comment on the possible impact of the resolution on Japan-China relations.

China has already criticized Japan for its recent expressions of regret over Beijing's approach to Hong Kong.

Xi's Japan visit, initially planned for this spring had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But hawks in the ruling party have repeatedly raised issues over Abe's invitation of Xi as a state guest, particularly amid unrest in Hong Kong since last year.

Abe has made improved Japan-China ties one of his main diplomatic goals.