BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Thursday said China and Japan have made positive progress in the consultations involving the direct telephone line under the maritime and air liaison mechanism.

File photo: agencies

The building process is expected to start as soon as possible, according to Tan Kefei, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, during a press conference.

Tan said the maritime and air liaison mechanism between the Chinese and Japanese defense departments has been operating well since its establishment in 2018 and has played a positive role in maintaining peace and stability in the East China Sea.