Japan's decision to freeze loans to China is detrimental to China-Japan relations, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Thursday in Beijing.

"Providing loans to China is not giving alms to China," spokesman Qin Gang told the regular press briefing.

According to Kyodo News, Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Yasuhisa Shiozaki told a ruling Liberal Democratic Party panel meeting Thursday that the loans to China would be temporarily frozen and the decision on the sum of the loans will be ceased at the meeting of the Japanese cabinet.

Qin said Japan's loans to China had not only exerted some positive effects on China's economic and social development, but also had offered benefits to Japan in recent years.

"It is in the interests of the two countries to end the loans based on the agreement between China and Japan," Qin said. "Japan's unilateral freezing of loans will not help mend Sino-Japanese ties."

"China's position on this issue remains unchanged. The two sides should properly resolve this issue through equal consultation," Qin said.

Qin said the two countries are now faced with a complicated situation and severe hardships.

"China has initiated important suggestions and taken positive steps to improve relations with Japan," Qin said. "We hope Japan will respond and resolve differences and problems through exchanges and consultations."

Source: Xinhua