BEIJING : The visit by Japan's new Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda to China this week is seen as a further step towards the warming of relations between the two countries.

Analysts in Beijing expect the mild-mannered political veteran to sidestep long-standing disputes and push for progress in common areas.

Most people had thought that the 71-year-old Fukuda, Japan's former chief cabinet secretary, would take a back seat and inch towards retirement.

But he surprised many in Japan when he became the country's 91st prime minister in September.

For Beijing, Fukuda's election in parliament was a welcomed development.

"Fukuda has long emphasised the importance of building strong ties with China and the rest of Asia. He has even pledged not to visit the Yazukuni Shrine. So, two-way ties are likely to be stable for as long as Fukuda is onboard, as he is likely to put historical issues aside," said Professor Zhou Yongsheng at the China Foreign Affairs University.

Local reports in China hail Fukuda as a "rational choice" for Japan.

He is portrayed as a leader who can steer the country to greater economic heights and social stability.

Political watchers in China said the veteran politician's pragmatic approach is a break from the nationalistic stance of his predecessors Junichiro Koizumi and Shinzo Abe.

Under Koizumi's leadership, relations between China and Japan were often tense.

His annual visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, where class A Japanese war criminals are honoured, irritated and angered neighbouring China and South Korea.

Abe, on the other hand, offered a ray of hope for Sino-Japanese ties when he broke the ice by making Beijing his first official stop as prime minister.

But he raised concerns among the Chinese when he pushed to revise Japan's pacifist constitution, and adopted an ambiguous stand on the Yasukuni Shrine.

He also opposed the lifting of the European Union's arms embargo against China, and sought to form the Arc of Freedom and Prosperity with democratic countries in the Asia Pacific, a move that pointedly excluded communist China.

Following a series of corruption scandals involving his administration, Abe resigned abruptly two weeks before the end of his first year in office.

His departure paved the way for the mild-mannered Fukuda to take on the top post, a change that analysts in China say will boost two-way ties.

"The two sides have seen military exchanges at the highest level recently. China has sent Defence Minister Cao Gang Chuan and its navy missile destroyer 'Shenzhen' to visit Japan. Fukuda and Japan Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba have both indicated that China is not a threat to Japan. That's a positive signal," said Professor Zhou.

But it will not be all smooth sailing for PM Fukuda.

Long-standing issues remain, such as the two countries' conflicting claims on natural gas fields in the East China Sea.

Political watchers do not expect decades of historical baggage to be resolved during Fukuda's visit to Beijing this week, but they are hopeful that he will reach an agreement with the Chinese leaders to jointly enhance exchanges in various areas of interest.

Analysts said more Japanese politicians, regardless of their affiliations, have reiterated the importance of strengthening ties with China and Asia. This is because the growing economic prowess of China has set the tone for future Sino-Japan relations, and that it serves Japan's interests to maintain close ties with the country. - CNA /ls