Top political advisor Jia Qinglin said in Tokyo on Thursday that China has always attached great importance to Sino-Japanese relations.

 

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks at a meeting with Eda Satsuki, president of the House of Councilors of Japan.

 

Jia said China will unswervingly pursue a policy on good neighborly friendship with Japan and his current visit is aimed at further promoting the good momentum for the development of the bilateral relations.

 

He said the CPPCC National Committee hopes to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Japanese House of Councilors.

 

Satsuki said Japan and China should strengthen friendship and cooperation.

 

He said the Japanese side will abide strictly by the principles mapped out in the three bilateral political documents and the spirit of former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama's statement, and properly handle the history and other issues.

 

He said the Japanese House of Councilors will keep close contacts with China's National People's Congress and the CPPCC National Committee.

 

At separate meetings with leaders of Japan's Democratic Party and Komei Party, Jia said good neighborly friendship is the sole correct choice for China and Japan, and statesmen from both countries should treat bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term prospect.

 

Jia started an official goodwill visit to Japan on Wednesday as a guest of the Japanese government.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2007)