To improve public sentiment to allow the two countries to be real friends, we believe it is of great importance to conduct direct dialogue and exchanges in various ways.

Masato Kitera, Japanese ambassador to China

Japan and China should work together to establish a crisis-management system to reduce misunderstandings and bring bilateral ties back on track.

Yasushi Akashi, former UN undersecretary-general, now chairman of the board of the nonprofit, nonpolitical organization International House of Japan

Beijing and Tokyo should work together to carry out some successful cooperative projects between the two countries that can serve as positive examples for people from both countries, and allow us to create a positive atmosphere. For instance, Japan and China can cooperate in helping Africa.

Aisawa Ichiro, a member of the Japanese House of Representatives and a former vice-minister for Japanese foreign affairs

The forum has become one of the successful platforms of bilateral diplomatic relations. Bilateral ties are undergoing a most difficult stage because of the Diaoyu Islands dispute, ... so more exchanges between the two governments and peoples are needed to tackle the current difficulties.

Zhao Qizheng, former chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and former minister of the State Council Information Office

Despite their territorial disputes, China and Japan can still cooperate with each other in some fields, including energy and resources. China's per capita GDP energy consumption is eight times that of Japan. If we can learn the energy-saving technologies from Japan and cut energy consumption by half, it will be a great contribution.

Wu Ji'nan, a researcher on Japan studies with the Shanghai Institute for International Studies

Shinzo Abe put forward the idea of building Japan and sought a seat as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Of course, we support Japan in playing a positive role in world affairs. However, what we have seen is that the Abe government chooses to realize it by manipulating and twisting the historical facts. This cannot work at all. The Japanese nation and Asia, even many people in the US, won't accept it. The Japanese Cabinet should consider that.

Wang Taiping, a researcher with the China Foundation for International Studies and a former Chinese diplomat to Japan

(China Daily 10/27/2013 page2)