China commemorated on Wednesday the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kinkazu Saionji and Tokuma Utsunomiya, two late Japanese statesmen who committed their lives to improving relations between Japan and China.

 

Addressing a commemoration seminar, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan spoke highly of Saionji and Utsunomiya's contribution to promoting normalized relations and strengthening China-Japan friendship.

 

"Their glorious achievements and lofty spirit are indelibly engraved in the memories of the two peoples and are recorded in the history of China-Japan friendship," Tang said.

 

Utsunomiya was former head of Japan-China Friendship Association who devoted his life to promoting friendly ties with China.

 

Saionji was a former lawmaker who had made great contributions to the normalization of Japan-China relations. He was on friendly terms with former Premier Zhou Enlai.

 

Both of Japanese men were granted the title of "friendship ambassador" by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

 

Tang said since the normalization of China-Japan ties 34 years ago, the two countries have become closer, which has benefited the two peoples and contributed to peace, stability and development of Asia and the world at large.

 

He says bilateral ties are at a key period of development. "Under the efforts of both sides, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had made a successful visit to China last month, bringing bilateral ties back to normal track for development," the state councilor said.

 

"China is ready to work with Japan to promote exchanges and cooperation in an all-round way, and commit itself to realizing the goal of peaceful co-existence, long-term friendship, mutual-beneficial cooperation and common development," he said.

 

The state councilor also affirmed the irreplaceable role of non-governmental exchanges in promoting the resumption and development of bilateral ties. He called on both sides to conduct friendly exchanges and hand down China-Japan friendship from generation to generation.

 

Nearly 100 friendly people from the two countries attended the seminar.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2006)