BEIJING, Dec 27: Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a trip aimed at ending a long-running dispute over lucrative gas fields, and to build on warming ties between the Asian powers.

Fukuda, who has sought better relations with Beijing throughout his career, will spend four days in China for talks with the nation’s top leaders, and will also promote Japanese business interests and attend cultural events.

Relations between Asia’s two biggest economies are undoubtedly improving after hitting rock bottom a few years ago, but the two sides have yet to resolve their competing territorial claims in the gas-rich East China Sea.

Fukuda said before departing Tokyo that a breakthrough in the dispute could finally come during his trip.

“We could come to an agreement if talks go well,” Fukuda told reporters.

“We should solve this as swiftly as possible.” The Asahi Shimbun reported Thursday that the two countries held secret talks on the gas dispute ahead of Fukuda’s visit.—AFP