"China's peaceful development is a significant opportunity for Japan and the world," Abe said.

Qu Xing, Director of the China Institute of International Studies, said that the meeting between Xi and Abe was held at the request of the Japanese side, which is different from a working visit or a formal visit between leaders. "In a sense, the Xi-Abe meeting helped improve Sino-Japanese relations," he said.

Xi again stressed the political basis for improving Sino-Japanese relations when meeting with Abe.

"The Japanese Government must follow the four political documents between China and Japan and honor the commitments made by successive Japanese administrations, including a speech by former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama in which he stated that Japan, through colonial rule and aggression, caused great damage and suffering to people of many countries, particularly in Asia, and that no such mistake should be made in the future," Xi said. "Only in this way could Japan develop friendly and forward-looking ties with its Asian neighbors."

The four political documents between China and Japan refer to the China-Japan Joint Statement inked in 1972, the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1978, the China-Japan Joint Declaration of 1998 and a joint statement on advancing strategic and mutually beneficial relations in a comprehensive way that was signed in 2008.

Chinese observers said that if Japan can take the four-point agreement seriously and earnestly implement it, the two countries' relations will gradually improve; otherwise, relations between the two will be further strained.

Gao Hong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Japanese Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), said that the four-point agreement is a necessary diplomatic step to improve Sino-Japanese ties.

Yang Bojiang, another Deputy Director of the Institute of Japanese Studies under the CASS, pointed out that the disputes between China and Japan are deep-rooted. According to Yang, Abe had to show an active stance because he faces mounting political pressure at home and abroad.

"In terms of the economy, the short-term stimulatory effect of Abenomics has approached an end, but the long-term stimulus has not ensued. For this reason, many international financial institutions have revised downward the growth forecast for the Japanese economy," Yang said. "In addition, many Japanese people have questioned why Abe has not maintained sound relations with neighboring countries."

Japan's most important partner, the United States, has also urged it to pursue negotiations to resolve disputes.

"In the future, if he breaks with the consensus, Abe will harm not only Sino-Japanese relations but also his political career," Yang said. "The road ahead must be full of twists and turns. It cannot exclude the possibility that tensions could return. So we should keep alert."

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China-Japan Four-Point Agreement

First, the two sides have affirmed that they will follow the principles and spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan and continue to develop the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit.

Second, in the spirit of "facing history squarely and looking forward to the future," the two sides have reached some agreement on overcoming political obstacles in the bilateral relations.

Third, the two sides have acknowledged that different positions exist between them regarding the tensions that have emerged in recent years over the Diaoyu Islands and some waters in the East China Sea, and agreed to prevent the situation from aggravating through dialogue and consultation and establish crisis management mechanisms to avoid contingencies.

Fourth, the two sides have agreed to gradually resume political, diplomatic and security dialogue through various multilateral and bilateral channels and to make efforts to build political mutual trust.

(Source: Xinhua News Agency)