Chinese leaders agree in principle to visit Japan next year, said State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan in Beijing Monday.

 

Tang made the remarks in a meeting with Koichi Kato, former secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and a member of the House of Representatives.

 

Tang said both sides should regard the visit as a chance for promoting friendly exchanges and cooperation in numerous fields as well as mapping out a long-term development plan for bilateral relations.

 

The two countries should further consolidate the "three foundations" for the sound, long-term, stable development of bilateral relations. These are the political foundation, economic foundation and people-to-people relations, he added.

 

New Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe paid an official visit to China in October after assuming the premiership, the first such visit to China by a Japanese prime minister in five years.

 

During his visit, the two sides issued a joint press communiqué, in which the Japanese side extended a invitation to Chinese leaders to visit Japan, and the Chinese side expressed gratitude and consent in principle.

 

Tang said relations between China and Japan are improving. The elimination of political obstacles and the resumption of high-level visits will inject vigor into bilateral relations and benefit both the countries and their peoples.

 

Koichi agreed that China-Japan relations had improved since Abe's China visit. This trend reflects the interests of both countries and is welcomed by all circles in Japan and other Asian nations.

 

The 21st century is the Asian century Koichi said, adding that only if China and Japan have a better relationship can they build a bright future for Asia. He concluded that he would maintain his efforts in favor of a sound and stable development of China-Japan relations.

 

Tang also stressed the need to carefully handle major sensitive issues so as to ward off hindrances to the improvement and development of bilateral relations.

 

He said the two nations should expand their common interests and establish strategic relations to revitalize Asia, and contribute to Asian peace, development and harmony.

 

The Japanese guests are visiting China at the invitation of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2006)