Relations between China and Japan appear to be thawing as the two sides seek to repair a connection that has been damaged by the ongoing territorial dispute in the East China Sea.

Both Chinese and Japanese officials have acknowledged that "different positions exist," and called for the establishment of "crisis management mechanisms" to avoid any escalation of the standoff.

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Ties between China and Japan have long been strained over issues of history and territory. Beijing claims a group of islands, known as the Diaoyu in Chinese and Senkaku in Japanese, as the rightful territory of China. The Japanese government has effective control over the islands.

The longstanding dispute has escalated dangerously in the last several years, with military posturing and political intractability on both sides. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have not met in person since they both came to power in 2012.

In an important sign of efforts to improve relations, China's state-run CCTV is now reporting that China's top diplomat, State Councilor Yang Jiechi, has met with Shotaro Yachi, Japan's national security advisor, in Beijing.

Abe has long sought a meeting with Xi, but the Chinese government has refused these overtures in the past. In December 2013, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang blamed the strained relations on Abe's visit to the controversial Yaskuni Shrine:

" Abe himself closed the door of dialogue with the Chinese leaders, the Chinese people do not welcome him," he said. "Abe should admit mistakes to the Chinese government and people to make a fresh start."

he Chinese government is now hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Beijing. Japanese Prime Minister Abe is scheduled to arrive there in a the coming days to attend the summit, and there is increasing speculation that the APEC summit may provide an opportunity for the first official meeting between Abe and Xi.

TagsSino-Japanese Relations, thawing, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC, Summit, Shotaro Yachi, Yang Jiechi