President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday exchanged congratulatory messages over half a century of the normalisation of China-Japan diplomatic relations.

Xi said that 50 years ago, the two country’s leaders had the foresight to make the decision to normalise bilateral relations, opening a new chapter in China-Japan relations.

In his message, he added the two sides have reached a series of important agreements, and continuously deepened exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

The president said this has brought benefits to the two countries and their people, as well as promoted peace and development in the region and the wider world.

Xi stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Japan relations.

Tokyo called on Thursday for "constructive and stable" ties with Beijing.

In his message, Kishida pointed out that relations with China, "while possessing various possibilities, face many challenges and issues".

"I would like to build constructive and stable Japan-China relations for the peace and prosperity of not only our two nations but also the region and the world," he said.

The two countries remain economically intertwined: China is Japan's largest trading partner and Japan is China's second-largest after the United States.

And there have been reports that Xi and Kishida could hold talks online or in person in the coming months. (Xinhua/AFP)