China's president makes historic visit to Japan
China's president Hu Jintao has begun a five-day visit to Japan
Also In The News
|
All the results from the 2008 London mayoral election. |  |
Tuesday, 06, May 2008 11:03
China's president Hu Jintao has begun a five-day visit to Japan, the first in ten years.
Mr Jintao was greeted by senior officials in Tokyo ahead of talks with Japanese prime minister Yasuo Fukuda.
The pair are due to discuss trade, security and the ongoing dispute over energy resources.
"Relations between the two countries now have new opportunities for further development. I hope through this visit to increase mutual trust and strengthen friendship," Mr Jintao said in a written statement upon his arrival.
Relations between the two nations have been strained over the last ten years with China suspending high-level contact with Japan from 2001 to 2006, under the leadership of Junichiro Koizumi.
This week's visit by Mr Hu is the longest he has made as president and is the first international trip since unrest broke out in Tibet in March.
China replaced the US as Japan's top trade partner last year with the trade worth $236.6 billion (£120.179 million).