China invites Japan's Abe to visit at mutually convenient time

China confirmed the invitation to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for a visit at a time convenient for both sides, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Thursday.

"Diplomatic authorities of the two countries are maintaining communication on this issue," Lu said at a daily news briefing, calling on the two nations to "meet each other halfway" to facilitate a favorable environment for the visit. Lu made the remark in response to media reports that Abe plans to visit China as early as October.

China and Japan have been working to improve ties, with Premier Li Keqiang making an official visit to Japan in May, marking the first visit of a Chinese premier in eight years.