A poll suggests that the majority of people in China and Japan believe that positive bilateral relations are very important, and wish for a peaceful coexistence with shared development.

However, the survey -- conducted by the China International Publishing Group and Genron NPO, a Japanese think tank -- also reveals that the people of each nation have rather dim views of the other. About 1,500 Chinese and one thousand Japanese participated in the poll.

Nearly eight in ten of the Chinese respondents said bilateral ties are at a low ebb, while seven in ten held a similar view in Japan. Territorial disputes, maritime conflicts and historical issues remain major obstacles to more harmonious relations. The survey is an annual project of the Beijing-Tokyo Forum which was launched in 2005. This year's forum is scheduled to open in the Japanese capital next week.