On Aug 15, 2006, Juni-chiro Koizumi, the Japanese prime minister, visited Yasukuni Shrine, where war criminals are honored, on the anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II. Koizumi visited the shrine for six consecutive years after taking office in 2001.

In October 2006, Shinzo Abe, as Japanese prime minister, visited China on an "ice-breaking" visit.

In April 2007, then premier Wen Jiabao paid an "ice-thawing" visit to Japan.

In December 2007, a visit to China by then Japanese prime minister Yasuo Fukuda was described as a "spring-herald" event.

In September 2010, 15 Chinese fishermen were illegally seized and detained by Japanese authorities after their trawler collided with two Japanese Coast Guard patrol vessels near the Diaoyu Islands.

On Sept 10, 2012, the Japanese government announced its decision to "purchase" part of the Diaoyu Islands. The illegal move resulted in the suspension of various bilateral exchanges and led to anti-Japan protests in China.

On Nov 23, 2013, China declared the establishment of an East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone that covers the Diaoyu Islands.

On Dec 26, 2013, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the Yasukuni Shrine on the first anniversary of his second stint as prime minister, drawing worldwide criticism.

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