China and Japan should develop their bilateral ties from a long-term point of view and from a strategic height, and try to expand their common interests, Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said in Beijing Thursday. 

Tang made the remark when meeting with Japanese Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Aizawa Ichiro.

Tang told the Japanese guest that at present the main trend of Sino-Japanese ties is good, and the two countries have conducted sound communications and cooperation in various areas. In addition, the two countries have also strengthened coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs.

But he said China and Japan should further strengthen exchanges between young politicians of the two countries.

Tang also noted that the issue of history is connected with the political foundation of Sino-Japanese ties. He said that he hoped that both sides can persist in the spirit of "drawing lessons from history and facing the future," and promote the stable development of their bilateral ties.

Aizawa said the Japan-China relations are of great significance not only to the two countries, but also to the whole of Asia and the world as well.

It is very important for the younger generation of Japanese politicians to have a correct understanding of history, said Aizawa.

He said that the Japanese side is willing to push forward its friendly relations with China on the basis of the Japanese side making an honest acknowledgment of history.  

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2004)