Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Beijing on Thursday, the first official visit to China by a Japanese leader in nearly seven years, with hopes of lifting often tense bilateral relations to a "new phase."

"Japan and China share a big responsibility for regional and world prosperity. Based on that recognition, I would like to hold candid talks with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang over a variety of global issues," Abe said in Tokyo before departing on the three-day visit through Saturday.

Abe also told reporters he will exchange views on bilateral efforts to promote a free and fair trading system and make the East China Sea a "sea of peace, cooperation and friendship."