A top Chinese and Japanese official agreed on Tuesday in Tokyo to promote high-level dialogue in order to heal the strained bilateral ties between their countries.

During the second China-Japan high-level political dialogue, State Councilor Yang Jiechi explained that the relationship between the two countries is important to Beijing. He highlighted the fact that their bilateral ties have improved since the four points of agreed principles came into effect last year.

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Yang, who met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at his official residence on Wednesday, urged Japan to abide by the agreement and deal with other "sensitive issues" properly.

During Yang's meeting with Abe, the Japanese leader said it is necessary to build "future-oriented" ties rather than focus on the "unfortunate past," said Japan's deputy chief cabinet secretary Hiroshige Seko, who described the discussions as "warm and friendly."

The head of Japan's National Security Council Shotaro Yachi, who co-hosted the meeting with Yang, also underscored the importance of strengthening the bilateral relationship between Japan and China.

Yachi, however, censured China for looking to score political points by successfully adding documents related to the Nanjing Massacre to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. He also touched on other "problems" between the two countries, including their territorial dispute in the East China Sea and China's land reclamation project in the South China Sea.

There are speculations that Yang and Yachi discussed plans for a trilateral summit between China, Japan and South Korea, which could take place before the end of this month.

In recent months, China and Japan have not seen eye-to-eye on a number of issues including the 70^th anniversary of the Second World War, Japan's contentious security bills, the East China Sea territorial dispute, the inclusion of the Nanjing Massacre in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register and the arrest of about four Japanese citizens in China for spying. Chinese authorities are reportedly investigating if the suspected spies were sent by Japan. Meanwhile, Japanese authorities have denied the allegation.

On the sidelines of the first China-Japan high-level political dialogue in Beijing in July, Yachi met with Premier Li Keqiang, who said that the relationship between both countries faces opportunities and challenges.

TagsChina-Japan relations, East China Sea Territorial Dispute, Yang Jiechi, second China-Japan high-level political dialogue, Shotaro Yachi, Nanjing Massacre UNESCO Memory of the World Register