(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-09-14 10:56

TOKYO - China has always attached great importance to Sino-Japanese ties, the country's top political advisor said on Thursday.

Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Jia Qinglin said China will pursue good-neighborly relations and friendship with Japan.

At his meeting with Eda Satsuki, president of Japan's House of Councilors, Jia said his ongoing visit to Japan is aimed at improving bilateral relations further.

The CPPCC National Committee hopes to further increase and deepen exchanges and cooperation with Japan's House of Councilors, Jia said.

Satsuki agreed totally that Japan and China should strengthen friendship and cooperation.

Japan will abide strictly by the principles mapped out in the three bilateral political documents and the spirit of former Japanese prime minister Tomiichi Murayama's statement and properly handle historical and other issues, Satsuki said.

The House of Councilors of Japan will maintain close contacts with the National People's Congress (NPC) and the CPPCC National Committee.

At his meetings with leaders of Japan's Democratic Party and Komei Party, Jia emphasized good-neighborly relations and friendship. Both the countries' statesmen should see bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective.

Jia began his weeklong goodwill visit to Japan on Wednesday at the invitation of the Japanese government.