State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan on Friday called for greater efforts from both sides to push forward consultations between China and Japan over the East China Sea issue.

"We hope both sides would proceed from the general prospect of maintaining stability of bilateral relations, continue to work in an active and pragmatic manner, seek common ground while reserving differences, stride toward each other and exert greater efforts to achieve substantial progress in relevant consultations as soon as possible," Tang said.

Tang made the remarks when meeting with former Secretary General of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Hidenao Nakagawa in Beijing on Friday morning.

China and Japan have conducted 10 rounds of East China Sea talks over joint exploration.

The last round of talks were held in Beijing early this month, with the two sides agreeing to hold the next round of talks in Beijing in early November.

During the meeting with Nakagawa, Tang stressed that China is sincere and determined in its efforts to realize joint development of the East China Sea.

He said at present, China-Japan relations maintain a good momentum in general and face important opportunities for further improvement and growth.

Tang said China is willing to make joint efforts with Fukuda's administration of Japan and people from all sections of Japanese society to seize opportunities to further advance bilateral relations.

(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2007)