China and Japan¡¯s diplomatic spat shows no sign of an immediate off-ramp even as the leadership of a Japanese political party that helped break the ice in a previous dispute continues to talk with officials from Beijing behind the scenes.

Tetsuo Saito, the head of former ruling coalition partner Komeito, said he¡¯s held an in-person meeting and multiple phone calls with China¡¯s ambassador, Wu Jianghao, since remarks on Taiwan by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi triggered a standoff between the two nations.

Speaking in an interview on Wednesday in Tokyo, Saito said he hopes to visit China soon and says he would be prepared to take a letter on Takaichi¡¯s behalf if requested.