Visiting Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said on Thursday that the Sino-Japanese friendship has reached an unprecedented high level and is set to thrive in the new century.

"This year marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China. During the past 30 years, the bilateral relationship has achieved full development in all fields and has reached unprecedented levels," Tang said at a reception organized by Chinese embassy.

"Meanwhile, relationship between the two countries has also gone through many difficulties. Thanks to efforts made by both sides, the improvement of the Sino-Japanese ties has been gaining momentum since last year," Tang said.

He said with the consecutive exchange of visits between leaders of the two countries, the Sino-Japanese relationship returned to the normal track and was newly defined as the mutual beneficial ties based on common strategic interests.

Both sides should cherish and protect the fruits and good situation of the Sino-Japanese ties since they were not easily achieved, and should firmly believe at all time that the Sino-Japanese friendship is on an irreversible course and is in accord with historic trends, Tang said.

Since the development of the Sino-Japanese friendly and cooperative relations is in line with interests of both, China and Japan should prudently deal with old and new problems in order to keep them from affecting the overall situation of the bilateral ties, the state councilor said.

Tang stressed that China and Japan are facing expanding common interests and opportunities, as well as more common challenges in the new era. "With the two countries joining hands to deal with challenges and share opportunities, the Sino-Japanese friendship is set to further thrive in the 21st century," he added.

The state councilor arrived in Tokyo later Wednesday for a four-day visit at the invitation of the Japanese government.

(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2008)