Tang Jiaxuan, president of the China-Japan Friendship Association, urged Japan to make joint efforts with China to bring the bilateral relationship back on normal track while he met with a number of Japanese politicians.

Tang, former Chinese state councilor, visited Japan at the invitation of Japan-China Friendship Association. He met with President of New Komeito Party Natsuo Yamaguchi, Vice President of Liberal Democratic Party Masahiko Komura and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, respectively.

During his meetings with the Japanese politicians, Tang said that though the China-Japan relationship has been disturbed by negative factors from time to time, it is now faced with important opportunities for improvement, as next year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic ties, and the year after next marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty.

The two sides shall make joint efforts, based on the spirit of four important political documents between China and Japan and the four-point principled agreement, to bring bilateral relations back on a normal track at an early date, Tang said.

Tang also urged the two sides to further enhance communication between local governments, common citizens and the young people, in order to promote mutual understanding and trust and to cement the foundation of bilateral relations.

The Japanese side said that they are willing to make joint efforts with the Chinese side to properly handle relevant problems and to enhance communication and cooperation in various fields so as to further develop bilateral ties.

(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2016)