Hu Jintao to visit Japan in early May

Chinese President Hu Jintao is to pay a state visit to Japan early next month - the first visit there by a Chinese president in the past decade.

President Hu Jintao is expected to meet with Japan's Emperor Akihito, and hold talks with the country's Prime Minister, Fukuda Yasuo. Their discussions will focus on promoting Sino-Japanese relations and other issues of common concern. President Hu will be in Japan from May 6 to 10.