Some diplomats seem to have taken to "toilet diplomacy," after ASEAN delegates from China and Japan had an impromptu chat in the washroom.

The Foreign Ministers of neighbors China and Japan have only met a few times due to territorial disputes and historical hostilities between the two countries.

When China's Li Zhaoxing stopped in the men's room during the summit talks, Japan's Taro Aso happened to be inside. The two diplomats engaged in a discussion while journalists pursuing Mr. Li were surprised by the long visit to the bathroom, waiting in front of the door to the facilities for 20 minutes.

When Mr. Aso returned to the meeting of Ministers from the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus China, Japan and South Korea, he told his colleagues, "I just met Li in the toilet and we had a good discussion."

The two Ministers apparently held their official bilateral meeting, which took place in the dignified ambiance of five star Nikko Hotel.