Tang said this year was the 30th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-Japanese ties, marked with a series of successful commemorative activities, which improved mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and promoted relations.

The 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) last month laid down the goals and direction of China's future development, Tang said, adding that China would, as always, follow an independent foreign policy of peace and develop friendly ties with neighbors.

Tang said China attached great importance to the friendly cooperative relations with Japan.

He said both sides should endeavor to deepen mutual trust, explore common interests and properly handle problems. The two sides should also develop their friendship and promote regional cooperation.

Tang said "drawing lessons from history and looking forward to the future" was the basic spirit that both sides should hold.

China hoped Japan would cherish Sino-Japanese relations and take effective measures to ensure its healthy and stable development, Tang said.

Kawaguchi expressed her congratulations on the successful completion of the 16th CPC National Congress and Shanghai's successful bid to host World Expo 2010.

She said Japan and China had held many activities to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the normalization of ties in this year and managed to properly handle some problems.

Next year was the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan, she said.

Japan attached great importance to its relations with China and was willing to improve communication, deepen trust, properly handle problems that may occur and continue to improve the friendly cooperation, she said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 5, 2002)