An exchange program for the Japanese Self-Defense Force and Chinese military personnel has resumed following a four-year hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The in-person program, organized by Japan's Sasakawa Peace Foundation, began about two decades ago to facilitate visits by middle-ranking personnel from Japan and China to each other's country. But it had been suspended since the last event in 2019.

A 13-member Japanese Self-Defense Force delegation visited a Chinese military-affiliated think tank in Beijing as part of a nine-day session that kicked off on Sunday.

Japanese delegates discussed bilateral issues with their Chinese counterparts and also met with Jing Jianfeng, deputy chief of the Joint Staff Department of China's Central Military Commission.

Jing said there are difficult issues between the countries, but he stressed that China hopes to continue interactions that look at the big pictures.

The Japanese group is also scheduled to visit military facilities and troops in locations including Qingdao, Shandong province and Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.

Officials said arrangements are underway for a Chinese delegation to visit Japan as early as September.

Sasakawa Peace Foundation executive Adachi Itsu said it's important to create an opportunity for dialogue whenever a problem arises between the two countries. Adachi added that both sides should be committed to building better bilateral ties.