In October 2006, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe paid an "ice-breaking" visit to China. During his stay in China, the two countries agreed to foster mutually beneficial relations based on common strategic interests in a bid to realize "peaceful coexistence, friendship for generations, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development."

They also agreed to adhere to the principles prescribed in the three political documents and properly handle the problems that hamper the development of bilateral ties.

In April 2007, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao paid a visit to Japan. The tour, which re-opened top-level visit exchanges between China and Japan, was widely acclaimed as "ice-thawing."

In December 2007, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda visited China in return. The visit, dubbed as "spring-herald," further clarified the basic principles and essence of their mutually beneficial relations based on common strategic interests.

(Xinhua News Agency May 7, 2008)