President Hu Jintao on Tuesday started the first visit by a Chinese leader to Japan in 10 years as the Asian powers eased decades of tension, but hundreds took to the streets to protest over Tibet.

Just three years after relations hit rock bottom, Hu has said his trip would herald a “warm spring” with Japan, which is a top commercial partner despite lingering resentments of many Chinese over Tokyo’s past aggression.
Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura personally went to Tokyo’s Haneda airport to greet Hu, surrounded by more than 200 Chinese people chanted “Welcome! Welcome!”.

“Japan and China are both important countries in Asia and the world,” Hu said in a statement issued on arrival. “Through this visit, I hope to increase mutual trust, reinforce our friendship and deepen our cooperation.”
But while Japan and China have been working for years to repair ties, the visit threatens to be overshadowed by unrest in Tibet.

It is Hu’s first overseas visit since major protests broke out in Tibet in March against China’s rule. Thousands of police were on hand to ensure security, keeping Hu out of sight of Japanese nationalists who drove vans across Tokyo blaring anti-Chinese slogans. Elsewhere in Tokyo, nearly 1,000 demonstrators marched with Tibetan flags and signs reading, “Don't kill our friends.”

‘Nuke base no threat’

Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry on Tuesday remained silent on reports that it was building a major underground nuclear submarine base but insisted its military posed “no threat to any country”, a day after India voiced apprehensions over the build-up.