TOKYO - President Hu Jintao on Wednesday greeted Japanese Emperor Akihito, kicking off the official agenda of the first visit by a Chinese leader to Japan in 10 years.

The Chinese president, who arrived in Japan on Tuesday, visited the Tokyo palace with his wife and received a warm greeting from Akihito and Empress Michiko at the entrance.

They shook hands with the royal couple, who were also accompanied by Crown Prince Naruhito, Prince Akishino and his wife.

Just three years after relations between the two nations hit rock bottom, Hu hopes his trip will herald a "warm spring" with Japan, a top commercial partner despite lingering resentments of many Chinese over Tokyo's past aggression.

In sharp contrast to previous summits between Japan and China, the two Asian neighbors have signalled that emotionally charged rows over their history will be left on the back burner during this trip.

Hu's visit began with a flourish of goodwill, with a pair of giant pandas offered to Tokyo immediately upon his arrival.

But the president, set for talks with Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda later in the day, has a series of thorny issues to address.

The Asian nations failed in marathon talks before his visit to end a territorial feud over lucrative gas fields in the East China Sea.

They also have not worked out disagreements over a row on poisoned Chinese-made dumplings that sickened thousands of Japanese consumers.

His visit also threatens to be overshadowed by unrest in Tibet.

It is Hu's first overseas visit since major protests broke out in Tibet in March against China's rule. Beijing's subsequent crackdown has triggered a worldwide uproar, casting a shadow over the upcoming Beijing Olympics.

- AFP /ls