A delegation from Japan's Self-Defense Forces is visiting China in an exchange program with their Chinese counterparts.

About 20 years ago, Japan's Sasakawa Peace Foundation began the exchange program to facilitate mutual understanding for middle-ranking officers in both nations.

Thirteen SDF officers are set to visit facilities affiliated with the Chinese military in Beijing, Tianjin and Guangzhou over a period of nine days.

Organizers held a news conference in Beijing on Thursday.

They quoted a senior member of the PLA Academy of Military Sciences, which is a think tank of the Chinese military, as referring to the recent summit talks between Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Chinese official reportedly said that the Chinese side wants to continue constructive relations with Japan, and showed willingness to maintain exchanges with personnel from Japan's Self-Defense Forces.

Officials from the Chinese side were reported to have shown strong interest in how Japan will deal with the administration of US President-elect Donald Trump.

They asked if there would be a change in Japan's policies as Trump is set to begin his second term.

The organizers said that the Chinese officials appeared to appreciate the SDF's visit this time as they believe that the bilateral relations will become more important.

They said that they felt the Chinese officials are willing to continue the defense exchanges, and have softened their attitude.