Exchanging congratulatory messages on August 12 to mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Beijing is willing to join hands with Tokyo to work for the long-term healthy and stable development of bilateral ties. Recalling his official visit to Japan in May where he also attended the 7th China-Japan-South Korea leaders’ meeting, Li Keqiang said his visit and the meeting have helped put China-Japan relations back on the track of normal development. He said "China is willing to work with Japan to safeguard the political foundation of the bilateral relationship, deepen cooperation of mutual benefit, properly handle differences and promote a long-term sound and stable development of bilateral ties in the spirit of “taking the past as a mirror and looking forward to the future.” 

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is scheduled to visit China later this year.