'Constructive' grass-root dialogues needed between China, Japan to mend strained ties

Experts from China and Japan are calling for 'constructive' dialogues at grass-root level between the governments of the two countries to mend strained relations.

The experts made the remarks before a number of public diplomatic activities following a year-long political stagnation that developed after the Japanese government nationalized Diaoyu Islands last year.

According to China Daily, the diplomatic impasse has been intensified by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's right-wing political and military policies.

Experts who will join the coming dialogues said semi-official or grass-roots exchanges will help bridge the gap caused by strained ties.

However, they also said visits will help only when participants can raise 'constructive' ideas on thorny territorial and historical issues.

According to the report, the China-Japan Friendship Association is scheduled to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty in Beijing on Tuesday.

Tokyo is sending envoys to the ceremony.

After that, the Beijing-Tokyo Forum, a high-end symposium sponsored by China Daily and Japanese think tank Genron NPO, will be held from Oct 25 to 27, the report added.

Senior figures are scheduled to attend.