A senior Chinese official said in Beijing Sunday that there is a greater necessity to have dialogue and exchange views amidst a number of recent problems and disputes between China and Japan.  

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan made the remarks in his meeting with visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Kawaguchi Yoriko, who was on an official visit to China.

After stressing that the main current of Sino-Japanese relations is good, Tang admitted that a number of problems have emerged between the two countries recently.

He stated China's stance on Taiwan, history and the Diaoyu Islands issues. Japan should attach importance to these issues related to China's major concerns and the feeling of the Chinese people, respect China's stand and rational proposals and properly handle the issues in line with the three major political documents and the commitments Japan has made so far, Tang stressed.

To ensure the healthy and steady growth of Sino-Japanese ties, Tang said, the principle of "taking history as a mirror and looking forward to the future" should be observed.

He also called on giving play to the positive elements while curbing the negative elements so as to maintain the already achieved results and further expand common interests.

Kawaguchi said the two sides, proceeding from the maintenance of Japan-China friendly relations, expressed each other's stance on the above issues. She reiterated that the Japanese government showed no support to "Taiwan independence" seekers.

Owing to the wrong state policy adopted by Japan, she said, Japan engaged in invasions and colonial rule over Asian countries and brought disasters to peoples in these countries, for which Japan should express deep remorse.

Japan is willing to cooperate with China for pushing forward Japan-China friendly ties and overcoming difficulties with wisdom, she said.

Kawaguchi concluded her 25-hour visit and left Beijing for home. This is her third China tour after she assumed the post of foreign minister.

(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2004)