It's part of Hatoyama's four-day personal visit to China amid Sino-Japanese tensions over the Diaoyu Islands.

 

　　"I have to visit Beijing and Nanjing during this hard time of our relations. I hope Chinese people can understand that Japanese politicians have different opinions towards China. I sincerely wish that Sino-Japanese ties can get back to the past when we cherish communication and cooperation."

 

　　Earlier this week, Hatoyama met with China-Japan Friendship Association Chairman Tang Jiaxuan and China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin.

 

　　The disputes over the Diaoyu islands dominated the talks and both sides called for dialogue to resolve the current tensions.

 

　　However, observers say the anti-China rhetoric among Japanese ring-wing politicians might not die down ahead of the upcoming upper house election in July.

 

　　Liu Jiangyong is an international studies specialist with Qinghua University:

 

　　"If the ruling Liberal Democratic Party gets two-thirds of the seats in both the lower and upper house. It could push for amending the constitution, which could mean more uncertainties ahead. "

 

　　Yukio Hatoyama, former leader of the current opposition Democratic Party of Japan, was invited by the Chinese people's Institute of Foreign Affairs.