China has told Japan that it is considering holding a face-to-face ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary in September of the normalization of relations between the two nations, a source familiar with bilateral ties said Tuesday.
The move indicated China, which has been at odds with the United States over security and human rights issues, is eager to stabilize relations with Japan, but the source told Kyodo News that whether an in-person event can be held will hinge on the coronavirus situation.
It is the first time China's plan for the 50th anniversary has been revealed, as the country's ties with Japan, a close U.S. security ally, have also been worsening over the Communist-led government's security challenges to self-ruled, democratic Taiwan.