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BEIJING : Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan may just pave the way for more stable Sino-Japan relations, with more youth exchanges and promises to meet his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, regularly.
Some have said it is a case of economics over politics. China is Japan's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching US$237 billion, according to Chinese statistics.
It is the fastest growing export market for Japan, which has now become the largest foreign investor.
President Hu's trip to Japan was hailed by the Chinese media as a "Warm Spring visit".
In a joint-statement, China and Japan reaffirmed their partnership and pledged to be forward-looking in moving bilateral relations, while acknowledging their historical differences.
Political observers said this could pave the way for long-term stability for Sino-Japan relations.
Professor Zhou Yongsheng, Research Institute of International Relations, China Foreign Affairs University, said: "The latest statement spelt out clear guiding principles for the future of Sino-Japan relations.
"So future Japanese governments would still be bound to fulfil the obligations in the agreement, even though they may not be as close to the Chinese government as Fukuda's cabinet."
President Hu's upbeat meetings with Prime Minister Fukuda was a stark contrast to his predecessor Jiang Zemin's trip 10 years ago, during which he demanded a stronger apology from his Japanese hosts for their war crimes during World War II.
Bilateral relations hit rock-bottom during the premiership of Junichiro Koizumi, who angered China and South Korea, with his high-profile visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honoured Japanese soldiers including war criminals.
President Hu's visit may just help reduce the longstanding resentment built up over the last decade. During his visit, President Hu had avoided references to Japan's World War II atrocities. Likewise, Prime Minister Fukuda urged China - in measured tones - to resolve the Tibetan issue amicably.
Territorial disputes such as the gas fields over the East China Sea continue to pose a challenge to the Asian political heavyweights.
But more exchanges are in the pipeline, as President Hu and Prime Minister Fukuda agreed to hold annual summits, which analysts said could lay the foundation for better ties to come.
Professor Zhou said: "For a long time, despite being close neighbours geographically, the two countries were not able to resolve their conflicts effectively, as there was no system in place for the leaders of both sides to meet regularly. This has impeded mutual understanding."
In his address at Tokyo's Waseda Univerisity, President Hu once again stressed on China's "Peaceful Development" that will not pose any military threat to any country. With that, the leaders are ready to sidestep historical issues, to take a greater leap forward. - CNA/ms
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