Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s official visit to China, due to start on Oct 25, is another strong signal that the two neighbors are seeking to turn a new page in their relations, a China Daily editorial said.

Ties between the two neighbors hit the rocks after the Abe administration nationalized some of the disputed islands in the East China Sea and were further soured by the recidivism of the views expressed by Abe and others on historical issues.

While these sticking points have still to be resolved, the two neighbors have found themselves edging closer together as they have found themselves in the same boat while Washington runs amok trying to take down the global trade system with a chain saw.

Both sides know that fostering closer, reciprocal and healthy interaction would be mutually beneficial, and a number of tangible trade and economic outcomes are expected.

It is unrealistic to expect the two sides to completely resolve their differences during Abe’s visit. But as long as they embrace the spirit of the treaty of peace and friendship enacted 40 years ago, they can build on the current trend of rapprochement and seek ways to accumulate more mutual trust, thus paving the way for better and more rewarding ties.