Top political advisor Jia Qinglin said in Tokyo on Thursday that China's policy on friendly relations with Japan will not change.

 

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks at a meeting with senior officials of the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

 

Jia said it is China's consistent policy to develop long-term and steady good-neighborly friendship with Japan, and this basic guideline will not change no matter what political changes take place in Japan.

 

Jia said leaders of the two countries have reached important consensus on building bilateral strategic relationship for mutual benefit and realizing the goal of peaceful co-existence, friendship for generations, reciprocal cooperation and common development.

 

He said the two sides should firmly implement the consensus so as to ensure a correct direction for the development of Sino-Japanese ties.

 

LDP Secretary-General Taro Aso, Chairman of Policy Research Council Nobuteru Ishihara, and Chairman of the General Council Toshihiro Nikai were present at the meeting.

 

Aso said although there are political changes in Japan, it is the consistent policy of the LDP to promote bilateral friendship and cooperation, and the Japanese side will continue to make efforts to this end.

 

Jia briefed them on the situation across the Taiwan Straits and the Chinese government's principled position on the Taiwan question.

 

He said it is in the common interest of both China and Japan to oppose and stop "Taiwan independence" and to safeguard peace and stability across the Straits and in the region.

 

Aso said the Japanese side abides by the bilateral joint statement on the Taiwan question and this position will not change.

 

Jia started an official goodwill visit to Japan on Wednesday as a guest of the Japanese government.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2007)