LONDON - JAPANESE Prime Minister Taro Aso will visit China on April 29 - 30, officials announced on Thursday after he held talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao following the G-20 summit.

During the 40-minute meeting in London, the two leaders agreed that the Asian powers would maintain a programme of visits between them.

The pair also discussed the imminent North Korean rocket launch.

A Japanese official said that both leaders had expressed their concern at the potential launch and said the Chinese president 'hoped that the situation will not escalate and that the matter will be resolved in a calm manner.' -- AFP