The Chinese government on Wednesday pledged to cement friendly relations with Japan.

 

"This benefits the two peoples, and is conducive to peace and stability in Asia and the world," said Vice President Zeng Qinghong.

 

When meeting with a delegation from the Japan-China Friendship Association, Zeng said the Chinese government attaches importance to relations with Japan, and would like to further the good-neighborly relations by learning from history and looking to the future.

 

Zeng expressed appreciation for the contribution of the Japan-China Friendship Association to promote Sino-Japanese relations.

 

He hailed the visit to China by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in early October, saying it "created conditions for the improvement of Sino-Japanese relations."

 

Zeng said that China and Japan were important neighbors and bilateral ties had progressed since the two countries normalized diplomatic ties in 1972.

 

Hiromu Nonaka, honorary advisor of the Japan-China Friendship Association, said Japan-China relations had endured an ongoing "winter season" for the past five years, and Abe's visit had set a foundation for the improvement of bilateral ties.

 

Ikuo Hirayama, chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Association, vowed to promote cooperation between Japan and China.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2006)