Visits spark thaw in frozen ties of wary neighbors

Although still divided over historical issues and territorial disputes, China and Japan are trying to mend their relations.

Japan protested against China's documentary evidence on the Nanjing Massacre being inscribed by UNESCO on its Memory of World registry. It has even threatened to cut or suspend its funding to the UN's cultural arm. China justified the inclusion of documentary materials for "remembering history, cherishing peace, looking into the future and safeguarding human dignity".

Despite this spat, pragmatism appears to be gaining the upper hand in the oft-tense relations, as ties between the two countries thawed in the past week after high-level talks.