New | China-Japan panel holds first meeting in three years amid signs of thawing tension

A long-established panel of experts on China-Japan relations on Wednesday held a formal meeting for the first time in more than three years, amid signs of easing political tensions between the two countries.

Their discussions in Beijing materialised after Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held their first meeting last month since they both took power two years ago and agreed the two Asian powers would resume various high-level talks.

Former State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan, who represents the Chinese side of the joint committee, said the two countries had taken ”the first important step toward improving relations”.

But Tang did not forget to remind those at the meeting that next year would mark the 70th anniversary of “the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japan”, and called on Japanese leaders to prevent the revival of militarism by upholding the country’s past apologies for its wartime actions.

Japan Post Holdings President Taizo Nishimuro expressed hope of having two days of lively discussions in Beijing with members of the committee, including scholars and former diplomats.

“The meeting between the two top leaders has merely provided an opportunity to improve relations. There remain numerous problems between Japan and China,” said Nishimuro, who heads the Japanese delegation.