Liu Yandong, vice chairwoman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met in Beijing Thursday with Kazuo Oikawa, council member of the Association of the Japanese House of Councilors.

Liu, also head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said correct understanding of history is the political basis for Sino-Japanese relations.

Japanese leaders visited time and again the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 World War II Class A Criminals. It severely hurts the feelings of people in China and other Asian nations, Liu said.

"Such actions contravene the fundamental interests of China and Japan and are not conducive to regional peace, prosperity and stability," she said.

Liu hopes that people of vision from both sides would overcome difficulties and make concerted efforts to push ahead with healthy development of Sino-Japanese relations.

Kazuo Oikawa and his delegation paid a visit to China from November 1 to 6 at the invitation of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.

(Xinhua News Agency November 4, 2005)