This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship.

While it has met its purpose, and the countries do enjoy strong economic relations -- the value of their overall trade in 2016 was worth more than 270 billion US dollars -- they haven't been seeing eye-to-eye on historical issues of late, such as Japan's stance on the "comfort women" issue, and how its leaders continue to visit the notorious war-linked Yasukuni Shrine. Japan's intention to revise its constitution -- essentially giving more power to its Self-Defense Forces -- has also impeded the development of their bilateral relations.  Meanwhile, the Diaoyu Island dispute and Japan's involvement in the recent South China Sea issues have also been disruptive.