Despite some progress in thawing ties, China may be trying to extract more concessions from Japan before committing to summit talks between their leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meetings here, analysts say.

Beijing may want to secure a public pledge that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will not visit the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine during his term, they add.

Or it may want Tokyo’s support for China-led initiatives like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

…Analyst Li Mingjiang said whether a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mr Abe takes the form of a formal or informal summit is important in setting the tone for ties and cooperation in the future.

“If it is an informal summit, it is one step short of a full resumption of dialogue,” said Dr Li from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.