China and Japan should push forward their bilateral good-neighborly cooperative relations in a healthy and stable manner in the new century, said President Hu Jintao in Beijing Tuesday.
Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the comment in a meeting with Takako Doi, leader of the Social Democratic Party of Japan, at the Great Hall of the People Tuesday afternoon.
Peace and development are still the leading themes as the world enters the new century, and also the shared aspirations of all people, Hu said, noting that friendship and cooperation have always constituted the basis of the Sino-Japanese ties that link the people of both countries.
Hu said China and Japan, taking history as a mirror and looking towards the future, should cherish all the more their hard-won friendship, adhere to the general orientation of peace and development, friendship and cooperation.
In accordance with the principles enshrined in the joint statement, the treaty of peace and friendship, and the joint declaration between China and Japan, he said, the two sides should further consolidate the political basis of bilateral ties and enhance mutual exchanges and cooperation in all fields and aspects.
Extending congratulations to both the CPC and the Social Democratic Party on the 20th founding anniversary of the official ties between them, Hu spoke highly of the Japanese party's long-term efforts and contributions to the Sino-Japanese friendship.
He expressed his hope that the two parties and the statesmen of the two nations will adopt a long-term view and make concerted efforts to continuously enrich and deepen the Sino-Japanese friendship to open a new chapter in this friendship.
Takako Doi said that her party attached great importance to developing friendly ties with the CPC.
Since the two parties forged official ties back in 1983, she said, they have carried out frequent exchanges and scored fruitful results in bilateral relations.
The Social Democratic Party is ready to further strengthen cooperation with the CPC so as to enhance Japan-China relations, she said.
Appreciating China's contributions to peace, development and stability in the region, she noted that the two countries should further strengthen cooperation and expand exchanges.
(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2003)
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