Japan PM's visit to 'improve relations'

China attaches great importance to the coming visit by Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said yesterday.

One day before Fukuda's tour begins, Qin said China views the visit as another key step in pushing forward Sino-Japanese ties after the ice-breaking and thawing trips by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Premier Wen Jiabao, respectively.

Qin urged Japan to cautiously deal with the Taiwan question, always bearing in mind the overall bilateral relationship.