Japanese, Chinese leaders pledge cooperation on gas dispute, future relations

By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TOKYO - The leaders of Japan and China say they will work toward resolving a sometimes bitter dispute over maritime gas deposits.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda are holding a summit in Japan, the first time a Chinese president has visited Tokyo in a decade. The two leaders said after their meeting Wednesday that they would work toward resolving a spat over ownership of gas deposits in the East China Sea.

China is tapping the deposits, but Japan says the fields should be jointly developed.