Japan, China roll out the red carpets for some overdue diplomacy

Special to WorldTribune.com

By Willy Lam, East-Asia-Intel.com

There are clear-cut signs that Chinese and Japanese leaders want to mend fences after the seven month-old row over the Diaoyu-Senkaku islands has plunged bilateral ties to the lowest level since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Boao Forum for Asia on the Chinese island of Hainan.  /AFP
Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Boao Forum for Asia on the Chinese island of Hainan. /AFP

Masahiko Komura, Vice-President of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and a former foreign minister, is due to visit Beijing next month as head the Japan-China Parliamentary Friendship Association, a group of legislators deemed to be friendly with China.

Earlier this week, former Japanese prime minister Yasuo Fukuda – who also has a “China-friendly” reputation, met with President Xi Jinping during the Boao International Forum in Hainan Island.

Other retired dignitaries who have been to China recently included former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, who toured Beijing in January.

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