BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe exchanged congratulatory messages via telegraph on Friday (Sept 29) to mark the 45th anniversary of the normalisation of diplomatic ties of the two countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

Mr Li stressed that China attaches great importance to its ties with Japan. He also expressed the hope that Japan can "meet China halfway to safeguard the political foundation of their bilateral ties, properly manage and control their contradictions and differences, and promote the steady improvement and development of their relations based on the spirit of taking history as a mirror while looking to the future", according to Xinhua.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Abe attended a ceremony sponsored by the Chinese Embassy marking the occasion in Tokyo, Nikkei Asian Review reported on Friday.

It was the first time in 15 years that a sitting Japanese leader attended the event, and the first time under the Abe government.

Mr Abe said at the event that he hoped to welcome Premier Li to Japan this year and "spur the development of our relationship" with bilateral meetings, Nikkei reported.

The prime minister also expressed his intention to host a three-way summit that also includes South Korea this year.