Finance Minister Taro Aso will travel to Beijing later this week for a meeting with Chinese counterpart Liu Kun that is likely to demonstrate the improving relationship between the world's second- and third-largest economies.

Aso, 77, who also serves as deputy prime minister, and Liu are expected to discuss the resurrection and expansion of a currency-swap arrangement.

While any such agreement is of limited practical importance in itself, the revamped deal would nonetheless be significant as it would reflect the latest warming of relations between Asia's two economic powerhouses. China is pushing to mend strained relations with its neighbors as it grapples with ramped-up pressure from the U.S. on trade and security.