Shinzo Abe’s China visit will push infrastructure and sea ties to counter US tensions
- First visit to Beijing by a Japanese prime minister since 2011 expected to bring economic cooperation that prepares the way for warmer political relations
China and Japan are set to boost their cooperation on infrastructure projects and Tokyo is pushing to resume talks on joint exploration in the disputed East China Sea when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visits Beijing next week, sources have said.
A forum of more than 1,000 business leaders and some government officials will be held during Abe’s visit next Thursday to Saturday, according to sources familiar with the matter. Abe will be the first Japanese prime minister to visit China in seven years.
Described by officials from both countries as an important step in their rapprochement, the visit will include meetings between Abe and Chinese leaders including Premier Li Keqiang and President Xi Jinping.
Japan has been a rival to China not only in East Asia but also in a global infrastructure push. Relations between the countries have also been strained by historical factors and territorial disputes in the East China Sea.
Since last year, the two Asian powers have pursued a diplomatic detente, at a time of uncertainty over their respective ties with the United States. Beijing has hoped that this can prevent Tokyo joining US efforts to isolate China as well as easing the impact of its trade war with the US.