Chinese President Hu Jintao called for more non-governmental contacts between China and Japan at a meeting in Beijing Wednesday morning with a delegation from the Japanese Association of the Dietmen League for Japan-China Friendship.

Under the new historical conditions, Hu said, China and Japan should attach much more importance than ever to non-governmental contacts, and encourage the younger generation, including young statesmen of both countries, to develop more friendship so as to inject new vigor and vitality into the continuous development of bilateral relations.

Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, spoke highly of the association's vital contributions to the development of bilateral relations since a long time ago, noting that this visit has special significance as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of the Sino-Japanese treaty of peace and friendship.

Reviewing the history around the signing of this treaty has presented both sides with a profound awareness of the importance and far-reaching significance of the establishment and growth of bilateral good-neighborly friendship and cooperation, said Hu.

Acknowledging the development of Sino-Japanese relations is an important period, he said that both sides should learn from history, face up to the future, adhere to the principles enshrined in the Sino-Japanese joint statement, the treaty of peace and friendship and the joint declaration, seize opportunities, expand exchanges, remove obstacles and further deepen cooperation, so as to make new contributions to the development of Sino-Japanese relations in the new century.

Echoing President Hu, Yoshiro Hayashi, president of the Japanese association and head of the delegation, said this visit epitomizes the association's keen desire to develop bilateral friendship, and that it is ready to work with other amity organizations for the continuous and sound development of bilateral friendship in the new century.

Hayashi spoke highly of China's victory over the disease of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in such a short period of time and China's rapid economic growth.

He welcomed China's economic development, expressing his firm belief that it is of vital and active significance for Japan, Asia and the world at large. China would score still greater achievements on its road of advance in the future, Hayashi said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2003)