Japan and China seek improved ties in impromptu APEC talks

I hope Japan can make the political shift to China, as it is already making the economic shift. It is clear that Asia is the future, especially as the US crumbles.

Abe seeks improved ties with China

huh? really?

No peace! ...till next years matsuri

Increase the Peace!

This is either just typical Abe, or maybe meeting with Trump changed Abe. We'll see.

Kowtow is Abe's know-how.

Ties between China and Japan...have long been strained by a territorial dispute.

I don't know what's their definition of 'long' but I wouldn't call 4 years (since 2012) 'long'.

China often views fairness and justice in a historical context and in terms of the nation’s sovereign rights, which can together outweigh the letter of the law. This helps justify China’s repeated incursions into the territorial waters of the Japanese-administered Senkaku/Diaoyu islands. Beijing believes it has historical claim. And Beijing believes that because Japan is using its administrative control over the islands to establish de facto sovereign ownership; therefore, given China’s rights, it is fair for China to act more assertively than the letter of law may permit. It is not necessarily that China believes “might makes right,” but that China’s increased strength now allows it to accomplish what it believed to be “right” all along. A key Japanese concern is whether China’s perception of “what’s right” will be elastic in connection with its growing power.

Ties between China and Japan, the world’s second- and third-largest economies, have long been strained by a territorial dispute.

The real intention of the PRC government it is large-scale immigration to Japan, it has nothing to do with dispute the senkaku islands.

China’s Foreign Ministry said the brief talks happened at the request of the Japanese side.

That sound doesn't good to me. It was unilateral rather than bilateral relationship.

Are there anyone who still insist t ÎS bases are to protect Japan from China?

With regards to relations with China it seems Abe has no clear direction.

Shinzo used to prod the Philippines, Vietnam and India to go against Beijing and then say to Xi he wants to improve relations.

He's like a ship with no anchor.

Do nothing is better than do something with Chinese leader.