The leader of Japan's ruling coalition partner Komeito and a member of the Chinese Communist Party leadership have confirmed the importance of free trade in response to US President Donald Trump's tariff measures.



Komeito leader Saito Tetsuo met Wang Huning, a member of the Chinese Communist Party's Politburo Standing Committee and the party's No.4 official, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday.



Saito told Wang that Japan is keeping a close eye on how economic relations between the United States and China might affect Japanese businesses.



Saito also explained that Japan has been negotiating a review of the tariffs with the US, and pointed out that China, as an economic power, needs to abide by international rules.



Wang noted that safeguarding the free trade framework would be in the world's common interests.



Saito expressed concern over the Chinese military's increased activity in the East China Sea and elsewhere, and over detentions of Japanese nationals by Chinese authorities.



He also asked China to resume imports of Japanese marine products as soon as possible.



Saito handed Wang a letter from Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Wang promised to deliver the letter to Xi.



Saito later told reporters the two sides came to a shared understanding that they need to frankly discuss concerns held by their countries' people and to continue dialogue through inter-party exchanges. He described this as a positive outcome.