Taro Aso, the frontrunner in the Japanese prime ministerial race, too, has gone on record saying he would maintain friendly ties with Beijing if elected.

• 麻生太郎，日本首相竞选中呼声很高的一位候选人，也曾经公开表示他将继续如果竞选成功，他将继续保持与中国的友好联系。