During the talks held on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Peru, the two agreed to “work towards holding a high-level dialogue on cultural exchange and economy at an appropriate time, as well as mutual visits of the relevant foreign ministers.”

The bilateral meeting comes after Ishiba retained his post as prime minister in this week’s parliamentary vote, despite the ruling coalition recently suffering its worst general election result in 15 years.

Relations between Japan and China have deteriorated as Beijing has increased its military capabilities in the region and Tokyo has strengthened security ties with the United States and its allies.

The foreign ministry stated that Ishiba “expressed serious concerns about the increasing activities of the Chinese army” at the meeting and emphasized that “peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait is extremely important for Japan and the international community.”

China has stepped up military pressure on self-ruled Taiwan in recent years to pressure Taipei to accept sovereignty claims that the island’s government rejects.

Meanwhile, according to a statement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Xi said he hoped Japan would work with China to “properly handle issues of fundamental principles such as history and Taiwan” and “constructively manage differences.”

China and Japan, whose “economic interests, industry and supply chains are deeply intertwined,” should “maintain win-win cooperation and maintain stable and unhindered production and supply chains as well as the global free trade system,” Xi said.

Another recent flashpoint in bilateral relations was the fatal stabbing of a 10-year-old Japanese student in Shenzhen in September.

Japan’s foreign ministry said Ishiba called on Xi to “strengthen measures to ensure the security of Japanese citizens” living in China, while Xi promised that “the security of foreign nationals, including the Japanese people, will be guaranteed.”