Japanese government sources say a possible visit to China by Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa has been postponed in line with the wish of the Chinese side.

Arrangements had been made for Hayashi to travel to China late this month to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

But the sources say the Chinese side notified that it became difficult to hold the meeting within the year. The sources say a visit by Hayashi is now postponed to January or later.

The visit would have been the first by a Japanese foreign minister in about three years.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Chinese President Xi Jinping held last month the first face-to-face Japan-China summit in about three years in Thailand. The two leaders agreed to promote close communications at all levels, including summits.

The Japanese government plans to look at the possible timing of a visit by Hayashi.