Hu In Tokyo

A busy day in Sino-Japan relations. Chinese President Hu Jintao kicks off a day filled with events in Tokyo, among all, he held talks with Japan PM Fukuda, attended lunch hosted by powerful Keidanren, welcomed at Imperial house by Emperor Heisei, and gave two pandas to Ueno park (in paper).

Everything seemed went smooth, and compared to Hu's predecessor, Jiang Zemin's visit that stirred up historic issue wherever he went, Hu's visit and speech signaled a forward thinking and cooperative mood. However, no less clouds over the two countries relations. First, Beijing would love to have both Fukuda and the Emperor to attend the Olympics opening ceremony, however, nothing short of promise came from Fukuda's mouth. He simply brushed the topic aside, "it is still to early to decide".

Other issues on the table, bilateral dispute over gas reserve in the East China Sea, toxic dumplings made in China and Tibet issue are left for future negotiations. The biggest achievement so far is a position showing that China and Japan can work together amid mountains of problems.

With that, I consider the trip as a success.