China and Japan have held the first round of high-level talks in Hangzhou, the capital city of east China's Zhejiang province.

Top officials from both sides, including members of the foreign and defence ministries, met to discuss maritime issues with the aim of improving relations and cooperation. As well as increasing mutual understanding and trust, the talks are to act as a platform in managing maritime conflicts.

It is understood that China reiterated its stance on the Diaoyu islands ownership dispute. The group of eight uninhabited islands located in the East Asian Sea have long represented a point of conflict between the two sides. The second round of talks are scheduled to be held in Japan later this year.