Japan PM welcomed in rare China visit

BEIJING (AFP) – Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe inspected troops off Beijing's Tiananmen Square Friday during a rare visit to China as ties further improve and the two countries face trade challenges from US President Donald Trump.

Premier Li Keqiang greeted Abe as Japan's flag flew outside the opulent Great Hall of the People across from Tiananmen Square, and they reviewed an honor guard before going inside for talks.

Relations between Asia's two biggest economies have improved in recent years after they sunk to new lows in 2012 when Tokyo ''nationalized'' disputed islands claimed by Beijing.

The relationship has rapidly warmed up as Trump has slapped massive tariffs on China while also targeting Japanese exports in his effort to cut US trade deficits, despite touting his personal bonds with Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Abe and Xi are expected to discuss how to boost economic cooperation between the world's second and third largest economies when they meet later Friday.

Abe brought along delegates from 500 Japanese companies, which are eager for increased access to China's massive market, while Beijing is interested in Japanese technology and corporate know-how.

''Though the US is quite an influential factor in China-Japan ties, the effect is limited,'' China's nationalistic Global Times said in an editorial.

''If Beijing and Tokyo intend to plan their future bilateral relationship based on Washington's attitude, they will only get lost,'' the state-run daily said.