Prime Minister Abe may visit China next September.

(Baonghean.vn) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has begun considering a visit to China in early September to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Japan-China relations have become distant, but Abe hopes to break this deadlock and promote the development of relations.

If it takes place, this would be Abe's second trip to China, following his visit last November, while no Chinese president has visited Japan since May 2011.

However, China may take a tougher stance, depending on how Abe handles the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Abe is expected to make a statement this summer.

Japan will send Shotaro Yachi, head of the National Security Council Secretariat, to China to draft detailed plans.

The most recent official visit between the leaders of Japan and China took place in December 2011, when then-Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda visited China. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also visited Japan about seven months later.

Last November, Abe met with Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held in Beijing.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit held in Beijing in November 2014. Photo: AP.

According to diplomatic protocol, it is now China's turn to send its leader to Japan. But a source close to Abe said Japan is eager to improve its relations with China.

Some organizations in Japan will be paying close attention to Abe's visit to China. Xi Jinping invited Abe to attend a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, held in Beijing on September 3rd. However, this ceremony is receiving some criticism in Japan.

This prompted Abe to follow Angela Merkel's example. The German Chancellor did not attend the event in Moscow in May marking the 70th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany, but visited Russia the following day to meet with President Vladimir Putin.

Abe plans to visit China before or after this Chinese commemoration event.

Thu Giang

(According to Nikkei)