Nearly 200 delegates from the largest Sino-Japanese friendship organizations in China and Japan gathered on Wednesday in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province to discuss how to further cultivate their friendship since the "ice-breaking" of bilateral ties.

 

"It is important to promote people-to-people exchanges at the time when high-level visits have been made and China-Japan ties is entering into a healthy, stable channel for growth," said Song Jian, chairman of the China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA).

 

The Chinese government has always favored developing friendly relations with Japan, said Song, adding that cooperation in all fields should be based on the three key political documents between China and Japan, including the China-Japan Joint Communique.

 

Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Japan in April was dubbed an "ice-thawing journey." Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's China trip last October was called an "ice-breaking visit."

 

The two countries issued a joint press communique, not only aiming to promote political, economic, security, social and cultural cooperation, but also calling for a "strategic and mutually beneficial relationship" which pushes ties to a higher level.

 

"China-Japan ties now face a crucial juncture," said Jing Dunquan, vice chairman of the CJFA, urging the expansion of economic cooperation and enhancement of cultural and regional exchanges, to help stabilize the foundation of bilateral ties.

 

Jing said expanding exchanges between the youth of China and Japan will create a favorable atmosphere and long-lasting China-Japan friendship.

 

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-Japanese relations.

 

Current Japan-China relations are improving, but Japan should never forget history and should be ready to fight "anti-Japan-China friendship forces", said Shoichi Ide, deputy chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Association, in a keynote speech.

 

Both Japan and China should view bilateral ties from a strategic perspective to seek common development and prosperity, Ide said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 24, 2007)