TOKYO — President Hu Jintao, on the first visit to Japan by a Chinese leader in 10 years, called yesterday for the two nations to improve their often strained relations and — as a show of good will — reportedly offered to lend Tokyo a pair of pandas.
But protests continued to dog China on the international stage ahead of this summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing, with hundreds of protesters marching to demand a “free Tibet.” Thousands of riot police mobilized to ensure Mr. Hu’s safety.
Mr. Hu and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, looking to underscore the positive during the Chinese leader’s five-day stay, hope ping-pong and pandas will take the edge off more contentious problems like border disputes, historical animosity and concerns about China’s rule in Tibet.
“We stand at a new starting point,” Mr. Hu said after his arrival. “We must develop our strategic partnership.”
Mr. Hu is the first Chinese president to come to Tokyo since Jiang Zemin in 1998. After a private dinner last night with Mr. Fukuda, he was to meet Emperor Akihito early today and then begin talks with Mr. Fukuda. Climate change is a key topic on the agenda.
Later in the day, Mr. Hu was to meet with business executives and the heads of Japan’s main political parties.
Officials said Mr. Hu and Mr. Fukuda were expected to discuss climate change, contested gas fields in the East China Sea, Chinese food safety rules and perhaps Tibet. But, to set a friendly tone, the two leaders were also expected to play ping-pong.
Mr. Hu hopes the visit will project China as a friendly, good neighbor after weeks of protests over Tibet and human rights issues that have accompanied the worldwide Olympic torch relay preceding the Beijing Olympic Games in August.
Ahead of Mr. Hu’s arrival, about 500 people protested in Tokyo, many carrying banners calling for a “Free Tibet.” There were no reports of arrests, although some protesters scuffled with police outside the French restaurant where Mr. Hu and Mr. Fukuda dined.
Japanese reports said up to 7,000 police had been assigned to protect Mr. Hu during his visit.
One of the top items on the agenda was pandas.
Ling Ling, a 22-year-old giant panda at Tokyo’s largest zoo and a symbol of friendship with China, died last week of heart failure. “It would be nice if we have a panda there again,” Mr. Fukuda told reporters last week.
Tokyo is hoping to get one on loan from China, and Japan’s Kyodo News Agency said that during the leaders’ dinner last night, Mr. Hu expressed his willingness to send a couple of pandas to Japan.
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