Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with the secretaries-general of the three ruling parties in Japan -- Taku Yamazaki of the Liberal Democratic Party, Tetsuzo Fuyushiba of the Komei Party, and Toshihiro Nikai of the New Conservative Party.

Vice-Premier Huang Ju and State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan also met the Japanese guests separately yesterday.

Hu said Sino-Japanese ties had seen notable development since the two countries established full diplomatic relations, which had benefited the two peoples and contributed to the peace, stability and development of Asia as well as the world.

Hu said improving and developing Sino-Japanese ties was of greater significance in the new century with constantly changing international and regional situations.

In accordance with the principles enshrined in the joint statement, the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and the joint declaration between China and Japan, Hu said, the two sides should constantly expand good-neighbourly co-operative relations.

Hu hoped the statesmen of the two countries would, by drawing lessons from history, looking towards the future, aiming at long-term interests and the entirety of bilateral relations and conforming to the historical trends, jointly push forward good-neighbourly co-operative ties.

During the meeting, Hu also briefed the Japanese guests on China's measures to contain SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and thanked the Japanese Government and its people for their support and help.

The two sides also exchanged views on other international and regional issues of common concern.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the two countries, said the Japanese guests.

They said the joint visit of the three ruling parties showed their common aspiration to develop friendship between the two countries.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi greatly valued good- neighborly friendly relations, they said.

Koizumi also noted that Japan would always follow the principle of drawing lessons from history and looking towards the future.

The Japanese guests spoke highly of China's efforts to fight SARS and said they hoped the Chinese people could win the battle soon.

Vice-Premier Huang said the new Chinese Government was ready to co-operate with Japan to further expand and deepen friendly bilateral co-operation.

(China Daily May 20, 2003)