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BEIJING-A Chinese warship sailed today for the first port visit by the Chinese Navy to Japan since the end of World War II, Chinese state media reported, as the often troubled relationship between the two neighboring countries continued to improve.The warship, the guided-missile destroyer Shenzhen, one of China’s most advanced ships, left its home port in Guangdong Province and is scheduled to arrive Nov. 28 for a four-day visit to Japan at the invitation of the Japanese Navy, according to Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency.The Shenzhen will take part in military ceremonies with the Japanese Navy, Xinhua reported.The warship’s departure follows a warm meeting Tuesday between the Chinese prime minister, Wen Jiabao, and his Japanese counterpart, Yasuo Fukuda, the first meeting between the leaders since Mr. Fukuda took office in September, on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathering in Singapore.After the talks Mr. Wen praised Mr. Fukuda’s efforts to improve ties, Chinese state media reported. “China-Japan relations are at a significant stage of development and an important turning point,” Mr. Wen said, the official China Daily newspaper reported today. “I hope we will make concerted efforts and grasp this opportunity to push forward the development of bilateral ties.”Senior Chinese officials and diplomats believe Mr. Fukuda has a more favorable view of China than his hawkish predecessors, Shinzo Abe and Junichiro Koizumi, and expect they his influence could serve to minimize tension in a relationship frequently troubled by territorial disputes and lingering bitterness over Japan’s wartime role.China’s growing economic power and rapid military buildup have also led to unease in Japan over Beijing’s long-term strategic intentions. The Chinese media frequently note that Mr. Fukuda’s late father, Takeo Fukuda, signed the landmark Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the countries in 1978 when he was Japan’s prime minister.Sino-Japanese ties deteriorated sharply during Mr. Koizumi’s five years in office when he repeatedly visited the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan’s wartime dead, including 14 Class A war criminals. The relationship began to warm during Mr. Abe’s short-lived term as prime minister.Mr. Abe visited China soon after he replaced Mr. Koizumi in September last year and refrained from visiting the shrine.Shortly after he was elected this year, Mr. Fukuda sent a message to Mr. Wen promising to continue efforts to improve ties. The Shenzhen’s visit to Japan is a sign that the two sides are attempting to increase understanding between their militaries, according to security analysts.The warship will visit Tokyo and the port of Yokosuka, The Associated Press reported, citing the Japanese Defense Ministry.Senior Japanese officials have called on Beijing to be more transparent about its defense spending and long-term military goals. Japan has one of the strongest militaries in Asia, but analysts say China’s rapidly modernizing armed forces have the potential to shift the balance of power in Asia.As in the days of Noah....
