TOKYO/BEIJING -- The Japanese government has decided to halt preparations for a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping for the foreseeable future, all but confirming that the trip will not happen this year as originally planned.
Japan had regarded Xi's visit as a symbol for restoring bilateral relations. It formed the linchpin of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's strategy to establish a level of cooperative ties with China while maintaining a warm personable relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump.
