Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying on Monday welcomed Kitera's new mission in Beijing.

Kitera is expected to boost China-Japan ties, communicate with the Chinese community to deepen his understanding of China, and contribute to a proper solution of the existing difficulties that both sides are facing.

Abe might ask upper-house lawmaker Yoriko Kawaguchi to return for another stint as foreign minister, Kyodo News Agency reported on Monday.

Abe is now deciding on the lineup for his Cabinet, which is likely to be formally inaugurated on Wednesday, and Japan's next foreign minister will serve against a backdrop of rising tensions with China, according to AFP.

Meanwhile, the escalating Diaoyu Islands row has given rise to the most serious situation since both countries normalized their diplomatic ties 40 years ago, a leading Chinese think tank said on Monday.

Given Tokyo's persistent stance over the dispute as well as Beijing's unwavering determination to guard its sovereignty, the possibility of further escalation, and even a military conflict, "cannot be ruled out", the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said in an annual report on international politics and security of 2013 on Monday.

Contact the writer at zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn

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