President Xi Jinping called on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday to acknowledge his country's wartime history and embark on trust-building measures.

The appeal came as the two leaders met in Beijing, their first scheduled meeting in almost three years after historical and territorial issues soured relations.

The meeting, held at Japan's request, took place a day after Abe arrived in the Chinese capital to attend the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting on Monday and Tuesday.