Chinese President Hu Jintao praised the increased cooperation between China and Japan and presented a pair of pandas as a symbol of goodwill during his state visit to Japan. This visit, only the second by a top Chinese leader, aims to build trust between the two wary Asian nations. The timing of the visit is crucial as China works to address global concerns about unrest in Tibet ahead of the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. Upon his arrival, Hu was warmly welcomed by Japanese officials and Chinese supporters, although more than 1,000 protesters peacefully demonstrated in Tokyo for human rights in Tibet. Despite concerns about potential clashes, the presence of 7,000 police ensured that the visit proceeded without incident. China is looking to portray itself as a friendly neighbor to Japan after years of disagreements over Japan's handling of its wartime past. Hu, who has emphasized future-oriented goals for his five-day visit, stated that maintaining stable and friendly relations is beneficial for both countries, whose economies are closely connected. Upon arriving in Tokyo, he expressed optimism for the potential growth of relations between the two countries and expressed his desire to build mutual trust and strengthen friendship. As a goodwill gesture that may help improve relations with the Japanese public, Hu offered to gift Japan two pandas for research purposes, following the recent death of the popular Ling Ling panda at a Tokyo zoo. He extended the offer during an informal dinner with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda at a Tokyo restaurant with historical ties to Sun Yat-sen, known as the "father" of modern China. China has now become Japan's top trade partner, surpassing the United States last year, with two-way trade totaling $236.6 billion, a 12 percent increase from 2006. The Chinese ambassador to Japan, Cui Tiankai, emphasized the importance of China and Japan coordinating and cooperating more to address regional economic integration and global challenges. However, Japan has concerns over Beijing's growing diplomatic and military influence, particularly regarding disputed energy resources, military strength, and the safety of Chinese exports. Despite some improvements in relations between China and Japan, further efforts are needed from both sides to fully warm relations. Hu's visit is reaching its political climax, with a summit planned for Wednesday with Fukuda to discuss a blueprint for future relations between Beijing and Tokyo. Both countries are eager to avoid a repeat of past tensions, such as Jiang Zemin's visit to Japan ten years ago which soured relations with pointed remarks about Japan's past actions. Although there were strained relations during Junichiro Koizumi's term as prime minister, ties have improved since then. Issues such as Taiwan, human rights, Japan's desire for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, and disputes over gas beds in the East China Sea are still being negotiated. Additionally, a recent incident involving Chinese-made dumplings tainted with pesticide has become a symbol of Japanese concerns about China's increasing influence. Japan is calling for more transparency regarding China's increasing defense spending, which reached 418 billion yuan in 2008, a 17.6 percent increase from the previous year. Critics believe China's actual military budget is even higher. Japan is seeking Chinese support for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, a sensitive issue that has previously sparked anti-Japanese protests in China due to historical grievances. China, in turn, is urging Japan to clarify its stance on Taiwan, which Beijing insists must reunify with the mainland. Tokyo has expressed its support for a "one China" policy that recognizes Taiwan, a former Japanese colony for fifty years until 1945, and maintains strong connections with Japan. While significant progress on specific disputes is not anticipated, both parties are eager to emphasize a positive outlook and will release a joint statement on combating climate change, an important issue for Japan as the host of the upcoming July G8 summit. Hu is scheduled to address students at Waseda University in Tokyo and may relax by playing ping-pong with Fukuda.