Shinzo Abe has a record of sending mixed signals on ties with China, though he's expressed good will to Beijing since his re-election in November. Here's a wrap-up of what he's said regarding bilateral relations.

Relations with China have remained at a low ebb in the past few years with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in office. But in his first policy speech to both houses of parliament after being re-elected, Abe said he wanted Japan to deepen its cooperation with China. Days before that, Abe met President Xi Jinping in Da Nang, Vietnam on the sidelines of the APEC meeting. Xi urged more practical actions from Japan to improve ties. Abe said Japan hoped to increase high-level exchanges and boost trade and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

At a New Year event co-hosted by Tokyo-based Jiji Press, Abe said in his speech that he wanted to make 2018 a year of a major improvement in China-Japan relations. And just about a week ago, Abe said in his annual policy speech that Japan will steadily improve friendship with China from a comprehensive standpoint. He noted this year will mark the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the two nations. He said cooperation will be boosted in economy, culture, tourism among other areas.