Japanese PM starts China visit

At the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda arrived in Beijing Sunday afternoon, starting his two-day official visit to China. Noda is scheduled to meet with President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo and hold talks with Premier Wen, during his visit. Noda is the first Japanese prime minister visiting China since the Democratic Party of Japan came to power in 2009. This was the first time that Noda visited China since he took office in August. Development of future-oriented China-Japan relations TOKYO, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is to start a two-day official visit to China on Sunday in efforts to promote the development strategic and mutually beneficial relations between China and Japan oriented toward the future. During the visit, Noda will exchange views with Chinese leaders, including the situation in the Korean Peninsular following top DPRK leader Kim Jong Il's death. Full story Noda's visit a stimulus for development of China-Japan ties TOKYO, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's upcoming visit to China from Sunday may well serve as a good opportunity for both sides to enhance mutual trust and consolidate cooperation. The visit, one week ahead of the beginning of 2012 when the two nations are set to mark the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, is expected to deepen practical cooperation and foster new progress. Full story