Chinese and Japanese senior legislators said in Beijing Wednesday that the two countries' legislative bodies will enhance exchanges and cooperation in a bid to improve the current Sino-Japanese political relations.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, calls for legislative cooperation while meeting with Tsunoda Giichi, vice president of the House of Councilors of the Diet of Japan.

"Sino-Japanese relationship has witnessed great progress since we normalized our relations. It is hard-won and should be treasured," Wu said.

However, Sino-Japanese relations have been in trouble in recent years. Wu attributed that to Japanese leaders' repeated visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 World War II Class A Criminals.

China will abide by the political documents issued by the two countries and promote extensive exchanges and cooperation with Japan in the spirit of "learning from the history and facing the future," he said.

The National People's Congress, China's top legislative body, will enhance exchanges with the House of Councilors and the House of Representatives of the Japanese Diet in a bid to promote Sino-Japanese relations, Wu said.

Tsunoda said he himself and the House of Councilors members will contribute to maintaining the general direction of Japan-China friendship.

Tsunoda was invited by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for a good-will visit to China starting November 14.

(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2005)