China has "indisputable, historical and legal sovereignty" over the Diaoyu Island and the adjacent islands. Relevant problems should be solved through talks on the basis of facts and should not affect the healthy development of the Sino-Japanese ties, he said.

He called for concerted efforts of the two countries in handling historical issues and the Taiwan issue "properly" as well as continuing to strengthen cooperation on the basis of the two nations' "overall interests".

The minister said that "proper conditions and atmosphere" should be created to facilitate the resumption of the exchange of high-level visits between China and Japan.

"We should proceed from the fundamental interests of the peoples of both countries and follow the principle of 'draw lessons from history and look into the future'," said the minister.

"We should proceed from the fundamental interests of the peoples of both countries and follow the principle of 'draw lessons from history and look into the future'," said the minister.

In response to a Japanese reporter's question when the premier and prime minister of China and Japan can resume the exchange of visits after several years of halt, Li said that he believes Japan and China, and the peoples of both countries, should carry forward their friendship from generation to generation.

"Over the past couple of years, the leaders of the two countries have been meeting for several times on multilateral occasions, and they have had very friendly discussions," he added.

Li said Sunday that said relations between China and Japan were achieved as a result of the "long-term and arduous efforts" made by generations of leaders, governments and peoples of the two nations.

"It is a hard-won result and deserves to be cherished," said the minister.

To maintain sound relations with Japan is a set policy of China and the Sino-Japan friendship should continue from "generation to generation".

Editor: Olivia