Chinese President Hu Jintao Saturday calls on leaders of both nations to make unremitting efforts for jointly establishing a new-type Sino-Japanese relationship, which is characterized as "friendship, cooperation, mutual benefit and "win-win".

Confronted with the new situation, it is of vital importance to further develop good neighborly and friendly cooperative ties between China and Japan, Hu said. The leaders of both nations should firmly grasp the general direction of Sino-Japanese relations, abide by the principles enshrined in the three political documents between the two nations, and adhere to the principle of learning from history and facing up the future to properly handle issues left from history as well as the Taiwan issue.

"The leaders of the two countries should do more things to advance Sino-Japanese friendship, and not do anything to hurt the feelings of their people," said Hu during his meeting here Saturday with Komura Masahiko, president of the Association of Dietmen League for Japan-China Friendship (ADLJCF), and his party.

Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that noticeable progress has been made in Sino-Japanese relations since the two nations normalized diplomatic ties more than 30 years ago, and fruitful outcome attained from bilateral exchanges and cooperation has brought substantial benefits to the people of both nations and they should be all the more be treasured.

He expressed his high appreciation to the ADLJCF for the important contributions it made to promote Sino-Japanese friendship, hoping that it would continue to play its due role as a bridge to push forward the bilateral relations and strive to train more successors for the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship.

Komura Masahiko said the ADLJCF, an organization with members from different parties, has been dedicated to Japan-China friendship. At present, he noted, Japan and China have maintained sound cooperation in the field of economy, and have shared common interest in an apparent increased number of regional issues, playing an increasingly vital role in the regional cooperation.

The ADLJCF will observe the joint statement and joint declaration between Japan and China, and adhere to one-China stance, and have a correct approach toward history, he acknowledged. As the president of the ADLJCF, he said he is ready to work harder still for furthering mutual understanding and trust between Japan and China.

(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2004)