China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Monday he is ready to maintain good working relations with the next Japanese foreign minister whoever he is. [More about FM press conference]

Yang's remarks came one day after Japan's former Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara on Sunday announced his resignation amid growing calls for him to step down for illegally receiving a donation from a foreign supporter.

"No matter who will succeed Maehara, I'm ready to maintain a sound working relationship with the Japanese foreign minister and jointly implement important agreements reached between leaders of the two countries on improving Sino-Japanese ties," Yang said.

Stressing that the China-Japan relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships for the two countries, Yang said "to pursue a sound Sino-Japanese relationship should be a wise choice for both sides."

"The Chinese side is ready to work with the Japanese side to keep China-Japan relations to the right direction in line with the principles enshrined in the four political documents between the two countries," Yang said.

"We must let people of our two countries see that a sound bilateral relationship has indeed brought about real benefits," he said.