Xi Jinping likely to make official Japan visit next year as two sides try to mend fences
Beijing said to be considering trip, to coincide with G20 summit in Osaka
Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to make an official visit to Japan next year as the traditional Asian rivals step up efforts to resolve their differences.
Citing diplomatic sources, Kyodo reported on Friday that Beijing was considering the trip, which would be the first by a Chinese leader since 2008 and would take place when he attends the Group of 20 summit of developed and emerging economies in Osaka next June.
Xi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have not held talks in the format of an official visit by either side since both men took office in 2012, although they have met at least seven times on various multilateral occasions.
The report came just days before Premier Li Keqiang is due to travel to Japan next week, the first official visit at that level since his predecessor Wen Jiabao’s 2011 trip.
Xi meanwhile spoke with Abe by telephone on Friday, with Xi making positive remarks about recent moves by Tokyo to improve relations with China, state broadcaster CCTV reported. Xi also discussed the improved situation on the Korean peninsula and called on Tokyo to do more for regional stability.