Talks held over resource rights

Chinese and Japanese officials have opened talks over disputed gas exploration rights in the East China Sea that could further sour relations between the energy-hungry countries if left unresolved, Reuters reported. Tensions rose earlier this month after Japan said China had sent warships to the area and started producing oil and gas at one of the fields, near waters over which Japan claims sovereignty. Eager to stress its claims, Japan has granted exploration firm Teikoku Oil Co a license to conduct test-drilling in the disputed area. A joint development has been suggested, but the parties are at odds how to proceed.