Sino-Japanese ties essential to regional peace

Japan's media says Tomiichi Murayama's visit to China is meant to break the deadlock of Japan-China relations. Chinese experts have stressed that the territorial dispute has had a significant impact on the two largest Asian economies.

Lu Yaodong, research fellow of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said, "Recent visits from Japan illustrate their desire to mend relations. As two of the most important powers in Asia, a healthy Sino-Japanese relationship is in all sides' interests, and would do good for regional peace and prosperity. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has committed to promoting the strategic partnership with China so he must show his sincerity. Japan has to withdraw its plan of nationalizing the Diaoyu Islands. Only in this way can we push forward Sino-Japan relations."