Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday told the secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party that he wants to move bilateral relations in the "right direction" by overcoming difficulties.
Toshihiro Nikai, effectively the LDP's second in command, handed Xi a personal letter from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a meeting in Beijing and requested more visits by key Chinese figures to Tokyo.
The meeting between Xi and Nikai was held a day after the Chinese president concluded a two-day international forum aimed at outlining his vision of expanding economic connectivity with countries along the ancient Silk Road and beyond.