Japan´s Abe visits China, "turning point" in relations 

Abe, in talks with Premier Wen, said he believes the future of Japan-China relations will have "no cloud", and he is ready to further the dialogue between the leaders of the two countries.

Japan-China relations are one of the most important bilateral relations, said Abe, adding that Japan will continue to honor the three political documents to develop bilateral ties.

Abe said Japan imposed great damages and sufferings on the Asian people in the past, and it is Japan's fixed policy on sticking to a peaceful development path on the basis of the deep introspection of the history.

Abe reiterated that Japan will, in accordance with the joint statement, adhere to a one-China policy, and not support "two Chinas", "one China, one Taiwan" and "Taiwan independence". It opposes any unilateral change of the status quo across the Taiwan Straits.

In a joint press communique issued Sunday, China and Japan agreed that the exchanges and dialogue is of importance to the healthy development of bilateral relations.

"The Japanese side invites Chinese leaders to visit Japan, the Chinese side expresses thanks and agrees in principle," the communique says.

"If Abe's visit helps resume top-level talks between China and Japan, it will be beneficial to rein in falling bilateral relations and promote future relations between the two Asian countries, " said Liu Jiangyong, a Japan expert in Tsinghua University.

Xu Dunxin, who was Chinese ambassador to Japan from 1993 to 1998, was "prudently optimistic" about the prospects of China-Japan relations. He said Abe's visit cannot resolve all the problems in bilateral ties as they are complicated and protracted.

But Abe's visit will open a channel for top leaders of the two countries to communicate and exchange views, and lay groundwork for further discussions, Xu said. Enditem

Editor:Sun Luying