China denies official contact with Abe adviser

BEIJING - A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry on Monday denied that Chinese government officials had contact with an advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his visit to China.

Media reports said Japanese Cabinet Secretariat Advisor Isao Iijima visited Beijing for four days from July 13 to 16. The reports alleged that during his visit, Iijima coordinated with relevant Chinese officials on the possibility of summit talks.

Spokesman Hong Lei said Iijima had applied for a visa to China not long ago. "But as far as I know, there were no official activities during his visit."

Chinese government officials had no contact with Iijima, he added.