China-Japan Relations: Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party leader visits China

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The secretary general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Toshihiro Nikai, is in Beijing for a four-day visit to China. He's met with both the Chinese Ministers of Foreign Affairs and of Commerce. The purpose is to keep up the momentum in improving bilateral relations. CGTN's Wang Mengzhen brings us more on this.

Relations are now back on track. That's how the two leaders describe the improving bilateral ties in recent months.

It's the second meeting this year for Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Japan's ruling LDP secretary general Toshihiro Nikai.

WANG YI CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER "We really appreciate your great efforts and dedication to China-Japan friendship for many years, particularly in every important moment of our bilateral relations."

Wang Yi also called for greater cooperation in areas like clean energy and environmental protection.

And the 79-year-old Nikai, as an old friend of China, says this visit is beyond politics.

TOSHIHIRO NIKAI, SECRETARY GENERAL LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY, JAPAN "This time, the well-known Japanese painter Koji Kinutani is also in our delegation to China. We will visit his art exhibition at Tsinghua University. We hope this could also help promote cultural exchanges between the two nations."

2018 is shaping up to be a landmark year for the China-Japan relationship, especially after Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's official visit to Japan in May.

On Friday afternoon, Nikai also held talks with Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan to strengthen cooperation in economy and trade. The two countries rank among the other's top trading partners.

WANG MENGZHEN BEIJING "This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the peace and friendship treaty signed by China and Japan. Analysts say increasing high-level interactions between the two sides could pave the way for better bilateral relations. WMZ, CGTN, BEIJING."