Chinese premier visits Tokyo to reset ties with Japan

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is paying an official visit to Japan at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

This is the first time a Chinese premier has visited Tokyo in eight years, showing Beijing's determined efforts to bring bilateral ties back on track.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship. And Premier Li's trip provides an important opportunity for improving bilateral relations. For Gao Hong, a professor from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, this is what he calls an ice-breaker between the two neighbors, contributing to the two sides' efforts to reanimate relations.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrives in Tokyo, capital of Japan, for an official visit and the 7th China-Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) leaders' meeting, May 8, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Bilateral ties between China and Japan reached a low point in 2012, due to Tokyo's provocative moves on territorial and historical issues.

The downward trend began to reverse itself in late 2014, when the two sides reached a four-point agreement on handling relations.

Now, the bilateral ties are being restored and developed with common efforts.

With this, Gao Hong thinks that the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship will give new impetus to the development of bilateral ties.

For Rong Ying, vice president of China Institute of International Studies, sitting together is a good sign, and next, both countries should keep the momentum going, and more importantly, find engines for concrete cooperation and development in many fields.

Last year, trade between the two sides returned to above the 300 billion US dollar mark, while personnel exchanges increased to a record high of 10 million. Such trends are expected to continue.

Nov. 1, 2015: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Seoul, S. Korea. /Xinhua Photo

And Tokyo has also recently expressed its openness to the Beijing-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

Rong also said that the Chinese premier’s visit is a beginning, and both sides need to work hard to create opportunities for better bilateral ties.

He noted that Japan should be more cautious on sensitive issues that will harm the mutual political trust.

In March, the Chinese premier said improving bilateral ties requires not just the right atmosphere, but also vision and commitment.

As the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, Premier Li Keqiang's official visit will further consolidate the improving momentum, push ties back on the normal track, and chart the future development of bilateral relations.

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