BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- China expects Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo's visit, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said Thursday.

"We hope Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo can visit China as early as possible, and hope his visit could bear fruit," Liu said at a regular press briefing.

China believes that to maintain high-level visits between the two countries could actively promote the sustainable improvement and development of bilateral ties, Liu said.