A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun disclosed on October 30, 2014 that China and Japan's defense agencies are moving forward with the expert consultation needed to resume maritime liaisons. He said that Japan should take concrete action and create favorable conditions for improving bilateral ties. Officials of both countries met in late September in Qingdao, Shandong Province, to exchange views on East China Sea-related affairs and maritime cooperation. They agreed, in principle, to resume bilateral maritime liaisons.