In a fresh sign of improving bilateral ties, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang may visit Japan this spring to resume high-level economic dialogue between the two countries, according to a diplomatic source.

The countries are arranging to hold ministerial-level dialogue for the first time in more than five years.

One of China’s four vice premiers, Wang, who is in charge of financial, commercial and trade issues, may also meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his stay in Japan, the source said Monday.

Attention is focused on whether Wang's visit could pave the way for the resumption of visit exchanges between top leaders, including a trip to Japan by President Xi Jinping.

While tensions remain over China's maritime assertiveness, playing out with massive and fast-paced land reclamation work in the South China Sea, the Japanese and Chinese governments are keen to accelerate dialogue between the two largest economies in Asia, the source said.

The high-level economic dialogue was launched in December 2007 and its third and most recent session was held in August 2010.

When Abe and Premier Li Keqiang met last month, they agreed to resume the dialogue at an early date next year.