Vice-President Xi Jinping yesterday applauded recent "easing signals" on the Korean Peninsula and called on Tokyo to repair ties with Pyongyang and help push forward the resumption of denuclearization talks.

Xi made the remarks while talking with Mizuho Fukushima, head of Japan's Social Democratic Party, before wrapping up his three-day Japan tour and heading for Seoul.

He is likely to discuss the nuclear issue with the President of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Lee Myung-bak, when they have breakfast together this morning before Lee heads to Copenhagen for the climate change talks.