Special report: Premier Wen visits ROK, Japan

    BEIJING, April 12 -- China and Japan are developing guidelines for maintaining healthy bilateral relations.

    It's the first trip by a Chinese Premier to Japan in seven years. Wen Jiabao says his visit is to thaw the ice in the long chill in Sino-Japanese relations.

    In his meetings with his Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday, they agreed to launch a high-level economic dialogue mechanism.

    They also confirmed the guidelines for a strategic mechanism to bring mutual benefits, including Japan abiding by the three political documents, the expansion of contacts, economic cooperation, and military exchanges. China and Japan will also strengthen dialogue on regional and international issues.

    Relations between China and Japan warmed last October when Shinzo Abe visited China right after taking office.

    For China, repeated visits made by former Japanese leaders to the Yasukuni Shrine, where Japan's war dead are enshrined, is the major problem affecting relations between China and Japan.

    In an interview with CCTV's Top Talk last week, Abe vowed to face up to history.

    Abe said, "As Japan's Prime Minister, I think I should treat history with respect. Meanwhile, I firmly believe the ice in relations will finally melt when more Chinese people get to know Japan's post-war road of development."

    Abe repeated his position on historical issues to Wen Jiabao during their meeting in Tokyo. He hopes to visit Beijing again later this year to cement trust.

    Chinese analysts see the sincerity of both sides as optimistic signs of a thaw in icy relations.

    Pan Zhenqiang, International affairs analyst, said, "Ice-melting first of all aimed at reducing if not eliminating the mistrust between the two countries. Or in other words, the two countries have to develop the strategic relations of mutual benefit on the basis of mutual trust."

    As for Taiwan, Shinzo Abe says Japan does not support its independence. On the disputed maritime boundary issue in the East China Sea, the two leaders agreed to find a solution acceptable to both sides.

    China and Japan aspire to build a strategic relationship for mutual benefit. Both sides are well aware that to contain frictions is the prerequisite. Observers believe the closer contacts between the two heads of government will be the initial steps in the direction.