The Heat: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visits Beijing

The Heat

Mike Walter

Mike Walter

Shinzo Abe, Japan’s prime minister, speaks during a news conference with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, not pictured, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. China and Japan capped a restoration of ties with agreements on everything from currency swaps to ocean rescue Friday, a thaw that comes as President Donald Trump seeks better trade terms with both nations. Photographer: Giulia Marchi/Bloomberg
Published October 26, 2018 at 8:01 PM

It’s being described as a turning point for China-Japan relations.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with China’s leadership Friday, the first official visit by a Japanese leader to Beijing in seven years. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang formally welcomed the Japanese prime minister with a review of the military guard outside the Great Hall of the People.

During talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the leaders discussed improving relations and greater cooperation on economic trade. Chinese and Japanese companies have signed hundreds of business deals, and the two countries plan to collaborate on dozens of infrastructure projects across Asia.

The leaders acknowledged the talks are an important step for both countries.

To discuss the status of the Sino-Japanese relationship:

  • Qinduo Xu is a senior fellow at the Pangoal Institution.
  • Yoshikazu Kato is an adjunct associate professor with the Asia Global Institute at the University of Hong Kong.
  • Michael Yahuda is a visiting scholar with the Sigur Center for Asian Studies at George Washington University.
  • Wenran Jiang is a senior fellow with the Institute of Asian Research at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver

For more: