Communication stressed to break China-Japan stalemate

BEIJING - A Foreign Ministry spokesman on Tuesday stressed that communication between China and Japan could help in problem solution as a Japanese politician came to Beijing trying to "pave the way for dialogue."

"China has long maintained normal communication and exchanges with Japan's ruling and opposition parties, as well as its non-governmental organizations," spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily press briefing.

Hong's comments came hours after Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of the New Komeito party, the smaller of Japan's two ruling parties, arrived in Beijing.

Yamaguchi is the first senior member of the Japanese ruling bloc to travel to Beijing since the Japanese government announced in September that it would "purchase" part of the Diaoyu Islands, a move that contributed to the disintegration of bilateral relations.

"I'd like to make a step toward opening the door to normalizing relations," Yamaguchi said. "I want to pave the way for dialogue."

When asked about China's expectations for his visit, Hong said the exchanges between China and Japan can "enhance bilateral communication, properly promote solutions for related issues and boost the development of bilateral relations."

Hong said the China-Japan Friendship Association is arranging Yamaguchi's visit.

"Yamaguchi is acting as a messenger of Japan's ruling bloc, trying to break the ice between the two countries," said Gao Hong, a scholar in Japanese affairs with the China Academy of Social Sciences.

Prior to his Beijing visit, Yamaguchi told reporters that settlement of the dispute over the sovereignty of the uninhabited islands, known as Diaoyu Islands in China, should be left to future generations.

Analysts said Yamaguchi's remarks reflected a sensible voice in Japan and a pragmatic attitude to mend ties with China.

The New Komeito party has a lasting bond with Beijing for a few decades and played an important role in helping normalizing China-Japan ties in 1972.

Yamaguchi also had a track record of mediating Japan-China ties, including his visit to Beijing and meet with Chinese leader in 2010 when China-Japan relations got strained over the boat collision incident.

"Yamaguchi's ongoing visit showed the consistent attitude of the New Komeito party. In a degree, he can play a role of bridge," Liu Jiangyong, a scholar in Japanese affairs with Tsinghua University.

Analysts, however, said there are some uncertainties about Yamaguchi's visit.

"Although they are part of ruling bloc, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Yamaguchi disagree with each other on some foreign policies," Gao said. "We can not put expectations too high for the Abe's government to cancel the former government's decision to purchase the Diaoyu Islands."

Whatever may come out of Yamaguchi's visit, analysts said dialogue is the only correct path to breaking the stalemate between China and Japan.