Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and delegates arrived in Beijing Thursday afternoon for a three-day visit. The visit is expected to enhance ties with China and open up a new scope for cooperation. CGTN's Liu Yang reports.

The first official visit to China by a Japanese prime minister in seven years began with handshakes and warm greetings. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Thursday. Chinese President Xi Jinping will also meet with Abe during the visit. Abe's itinerary includes a visit to Peking University, for the promotion of active exchanges between Chinese and Japanese teenagers.

LIU YANG BEIJING "Experts say the visit sends another strong signal that the two neighbors are seeking to turn a new page in their relations. Yet it's unrealistic to expect the two sides to resolve differences completely during Abe's visit. But every step paves the way for developing mutual trust and a better future."

Experts say China and Japan are set to boost cooperation on infrastructure projects. Japan is pushing to resume talks on joint exploration in the disputed East China Sea.

YANG BOJIANG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR INSTITUTE OF JAPANESE STUDIES CHINESE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES "In the past 40 years, relations between the two countries have synchronized with global development. In recent years, both have strengthened ties in regional networks and in international multilateral networks. Their relations are about much more than trade nowadays."

GUI YONGTAO, PROFESSOR PEKING UNIVERSITY "Japan is one of the largest sources of investment for China, given the rising cost of China's labor as well as political difficulties between these two countries. For some years, Japan and China's investment actually decreased a lot."

Gui says it would behoove Japan to increase its investment in China. Several forums will be held over the next three days to discuss issues of energy, transportation, and industrial upgrading. The two sides are expected to open up new avenues of cooperation such as in economic and innovation sectors. Liu Yang, CGTN, Beijing.