TOKYO, Oct 5 — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to call China an “important neighbour” and pledge to build a stable relationship between the rival nations in a policy address today according to media reports.

Diplomatic relations between the Asian economic giants have been at rock bottom since Takaichi suggested in November that Tokyo may intervene in any attack on the island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory.

Takaichi will likely say she plans to build a constructive and stable relationship with Beijing and describe China as “an important neighbour”, private broadcaster TV Asahi reported, citing an early draft of the speech set to take place in Japan’s parliament today.