BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday urged Japan to make joint efforts to bring bilateral ties back to the track of sound development.

Wang made the call while holding talks with visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in Beijing Sunday.

Describing Sino-Japanese relations as being at a crucial stage, Wang said China had noticed the recent positive comments of the Japanese side and hoped Japan would put its words into actions.

Kono is on an official visit to China from Jan. 27 to 28.