Little cheer as Japan, China mark 50 years of ties

By Kyoko Hasegawa Japan and China marked 50 years of diplomatic relations in September with little public celebration, as increasing friction over territorial rivalries and military spending frays ties. The world's second and third largest economies are key trading partners and just a few years ago seemed poised for a diplomatic blossoming, with plans for a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Since then, ties have soured significantly as Beijing bolsters its military, projects power regionally and beyond, and takes a harder line on disputed territory. In recent months, Chinese missiles are believed to have fallen within Japan's exclusive…