Neighbors can push ties higher by embracing spirit of peace treaty

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's upcoming official visit to China, which is due to start on Thursday, is another strong signal that the two neighbors are seeking to turn a new page in their relations.

Ties between the two neighbors hit the rocks after the Abe administration nationalized some of the disputed islands in the East China Sea and were further soured by the recidivism of the views expressed by Abe and others on historical issues.

While these sticking points have still to be resolved, the two neighbors have found themselves edging closer together as they have found themselves in the same boat while Washington runs amok trying to take down the global trade system with a chain saw.