Beijing ? Beijing gave Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda the red-carpet treatment for his first visit to China as the head of government, though Japan and China left for discussion next year practical tasks such as gas field development and cooperation at the Group of Eight summit meeting in July.

During their Friday meeting, Fukuda and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao both intimated that Japan-China relations have entered a new stage, and it seemed that the bilateral “strategic, mutually beneficial relationship” has been further strengthened.

But the two sides did not agree on certain key issues, including how to develop offshore gas fields, which is a serious concern between Tokyo and Beijing.

China offered Fukuda an unusually warm welcome. For example, he was invited to a state dinner with President Hu Jintao, becoming the first Japanese prime minister to do so since Yasuhiro Nakasone 21 years ago.