Abe's visit to chart course for ties with Japan

Chinese leaders and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are expected to chart a new course for the bilateral relationship amid a complicated global situation during the latter's upcoming China visit later this month, said a veteran Japanese politician.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and of China's reform and opening-up.

On Friday, Beijing announced Abe's visit, the first by a Japanese prime minister in seven years, which is scheduled from October 25 to 27. President Xi Jinping met with Abe in September in Russia and Premier Li Keqiang made an official visit to Japan in May.