Rare China-Japan handshake at summit

The conclusion of the first summit of East Asian leaders in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday saw a rare handshake between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, reported Reuters. The leaders shook hands after the signing of a declaration by all 16 Asian leaders present to hold annual talks on issues such as public health scares and energy security. Despite the friendly gesture, disagreements between China and Japan over how to view the latter's wartime past remain a source of tension. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao later told reporters, "Everybody saw clearly what happened at the meeting place, but China's attitude toward the question of history between China and Japan has not changed."