Seoul : China and Japan are making new efforts to calm tensions after weeks of sharp exchanges, with both sides sending signals that top level talks may continue despite growing mistrust.

The first hint came in late October when China said it supported more high level exchanges with Japan. This raised expectations that President Xi Jinping and Japan’s new prime minister Sanae Takaichi could meet during the Asia Pacific summit in South Korea. The meeting did take place on October thirty one, where both leaders agreed they wanted constructive and stable relations.

During that discussion Prime Minister Takaichi spoke openly about several concerns. She raised issues related to Chinese ships entering waters near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, trade limits on Japanese goods and a need for more predictability in the relationship. Chinese state media said President Xi expressed readiness to keep communication channels open.

However the situation has remained sensitive. After the meeting Japan issued stronger comments on the Taiwan question. Prime Minister Takaichi said any serious attack on Taiwan could be seen by Japan as a threat to its own survival. China reacted strongly. It said such remarks were unacceptable and warned that political trust was being damaged.

In the days that followed China increased the presence of its coast guard around the disputed islands. It also advised its citizens to be cautious about travel and study plans in Japan. A comment posted by a Chinese diplomat in Osaka added to the tension and Japan lodged a formal protest.

Diplomats on both sides say the relationship is now at a delicate point. The two countries depend heavily on each other for trade and investment. At the same time both governments are under pressure at home to take strong positions on security and national pride. China objects to closer cooperation between Japan and the United States while Japan is concerned about military activity near its territory.

For now both countries say they want stability but the weeks ahead may show whether these words can be matched with steady action.