China, Japan face bumpy road despite détente

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, as also the thawing of Sino-Japanese relations after eight long years. The visits of Premier Li Keqiang to Japan and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's subsequent visit to China helped bilateral ties to get back on track.

But despite the welcome changes, Sino-Japanese relations have a bumpy road ahead.

Sino-Japanese relations began deteriorating in 2010, reaching their lowest point when Japan "nationalized" the Diaoyu Islands in 2012. In spite of the tensions, however, the two sides appeared willing to improve bilateral relations.