Some optimistic signs for China and Japan ties

Relations between China and Japan seem to have hit a more optimistic note recently, after a sustained period of discord.

On his recent visit to Beijing, Liberal Democratic Party's General Council Chairman Toshihiro Nikai, in the presence of more than 3,000 people, including representatives from local governments and the tourism industry, as well as the Japanese Diet, presented a letter from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of People on May 23.Xi responded by telling the Japanese visitors that "friendship" between the countries "deserves cherishing and protecting". Japan has taken his remarks as a clear sign that China is willing to improve ties.

Now the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Japan-China Economic Association, along with Japan's largest business lobby the Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, plan to send an unprecedentedly large delegation to China in November.