Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, in another sign of easing bilateral tensions, told a meeting Thursday with a longtime panel of advisers to both countries that Sino-Japanese relations "are very important" to the region.
"Since the two countries normalized diplomatic relations (in 1972), China's principle and basic policy toward Japan has been consistent," Li told members of the New Japan-China Friendship Committee for the 21st Century.
The meeting in Beijing's Great Hall of the People took place after members of the committee agreed that deep mutual distrust between the two countries, particularly in politics and security, should be dispelled by having more exchanges in various fields.