Japan's Abe to visit China for talks with President Xi
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will pay a three-day visit to China from October 25, the first by a Japanese leader in seven years, the two countries announced yesterday, signaling warming of ties between the arch-rivals. In May this year, Li Keqiang became the first Chinese Premier to make an official visit to Japan in eight years to defuse the bilateral tensions. Here's more.
China, Japan have had uneasy ties since World War II
China and Japan made simultaneous announcements about PM Abe's visit, amid heightening trade, military, and political tensions between China and the US. China and Japan have had uneasy ties since World War II over the invasion of the Japanese Army. In recent years, navies and aircraft of both China and Japan have had close encounters at the disputed islands in the East China Sea.
China might be preparing for long-term hostility with US
The steady cooling down of tensions in its neighborhood, first with India with an informal summit between PM Narendra Modi and President Xi in April and now with Japan - hints that China is bracing for a long-term hostility with the US. China is also trying to rope in India and Japan in its ongoing trade war with the US to fight trade protectionism.
China hopes Abe's visit will develop new bilateral ties
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang yesterday said that Abe's visit will mark the 40th anniversary of a peace and friendship treaty between the two countries. He said China hoped the visit will lead to enhanced mutual trust and new development of bilateral ties. Abe's talks with Xi are expected to pave the way for moves by the countries to improve their relations.
Li says good ties between China-Japan important for global trade
During his May visit, Li called for joint-efforts from China and Japan to improve bilateral relations. Li said good ties between the two countries was also conducive to the development of global economy and trade, China and Japan being two major economies of the world.
China involved in territorial disputes over South China Sea
China is currently engaged in territorial disputes in the South China Sea and has differences with Japan in the East China Sea. Both the areas are said to be rich in minerals, oil, and other natural resources. They're also vital to global trade. China claims almost all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have counterclaims over the area.
