Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda will start a two-day official visit to China on Sunday, his first trip to the country since taking office in September this year.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and top legislator Wu Bangguo will both meet Noda, and Premier Wen Jiabao will hold talks with him during his visit.

The Chinese foreign ministry says the two sides will exchange views on Sino-Japanese ties, as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

Noda had said on various occasions that China's development means more opportunities to Japan.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda will start a two-day official visit to China on Sunday, his first trip to the country since taking office in September this year.[Xinhua]

His visit prepares for commemorative events to mark next year's 40th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations. Meanwhile, Japan's top diplomat to China hopes closer ties between the two neighbors could help reinvigorate Japan's disaster stricken economy.

 

Uichiro Niwa, Japanese Ambassador to China, said, "The year 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The Japanese government is striving to rebuild the nation and hopes more Chinese tourists will travel to Japan so as to help revive the country's economy."

Closer contacts have been seen recently between Chinese and Japanese high officials, widely interpreted as preparation for Noda's upcoming visit.

Described as calm and low key, 54-year old Yoshihiko Noda was elected Japan's Prime Minister on August 30, 2011, the country's sixth leader in five years.