Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan (R) meets with Kono Yohei, speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan, in Beijing, capital of China, on Dec. 25, 2006. (Xinhua Photo/Rao Aimin)

Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said here Monday afternoon that the current Sino-Japanese relationship is at a new starting point and the two sides should seize the opportunity to further develop the relationship.

"As the Sino-Japanese relationship is at a new starting point, it is a common task for both of us to seize the opportunity, consolidate the positive trend of bilateral relationship's development and thus further promote the development of bilateral relations," Tang said in a meeting with Kono Yohei, speaker of House of Representatives of Japan.

"Therefore, the two sides should keep high-level visits, safeguard stability of the overall situation of bilateral relations, continuously expand and deepen mutual-beneficial cooperation in various fields, properly treat major sensitive issues like the historical issue and Taiwan issue, and avoid another disturbance to the normal development of bilateral relations," said Tang.

The Sino-Japanese relations was in deadlock over the past five years because of the former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's repeated visit to Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 Class-A war criminals during the World War II.

The Japanese new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe this October paid "ice-breaking" visit to China. The leaders of the two countries agreed to construct the strategic relationship.

Later, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Abe met again on the sideline of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Hanoi of Vietnam in November.

"Sino-Japanese relations has come out of the cold winter and is entering the warm spring," said Tang.

He added the improvement of Sino-Japanese ties is in conformity with the fundamental interest of the two peoples, and benefits peace, stability and development of Asia and the world as whole.

Kono Yohei, who is also chairman of the Japan association for the promotion of international trade, attributed the improvement of Japan-China relations to the wise decision of the leaders of the two countries, saying he would like to push forward economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Kono Yohei is visiting China at the invitation of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

Editor: Donald