His comments were echoed by foreign minister Taro Aso, 66, who also served under outgoing prime minister Junichiro Koizumi. Aso put a summit with China top of his list of priorities.

• 曾是已卸任的小泉内阁成员，66岁的外交长官麻生太郎，对安倍的谈话表示赞同。麻生太郎将举行一次中日峰会作为工作的重中之重。