China is willing to strengthen relations with Japan's political parties in a bid to promote the development of bilateral ties, CPPCC Chairman Li Ruihuan said Thursday.

Li made the remarks in separate meetings with New Komeito party leader Takenori Kanzaki, head of Democratic Party of Japan Yukio Hatoyama, Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Yoshiro Mori and former Japanese prime ministers Ryutaro Hashimoto and Tsutomu Hata.

During the meetings, Li, who arrived in Tokyo Wednesday for a nine-day visit to Japan, expressed thanks to the Japanese politicians for their long-time contributions to the development of Sino-Japanese friendly ties.

China and Japan experienced an unfortunate period of time in the first half of the century, with the Japanese militarism bringing about great sufferings to the Chinese people, Li said.

But it is in the fundamental interests and wishes of the two peoples to pursue peaceful, friendly and cooperative ties between the two countries in the coming century, Li said, adding that he is confident of brighter future bilateral relations.

On the Taiwan issue, Li reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, adding that Lee Teng-hui's "state-to-state" theory seriously harmed the Chinese people's national sentiments, and was firmly opposed by all the Chinese people.

The Japanese politicians expressed their willingness to boost exchanges with the CPPCC, and said they would face up to the history with the aim to prevent the tragic incident from reoccurring between the two countries.

The three Japanese party leaders and two former prime ministers also pledged continued efforts to realize the two country's friendship from generation to generation.