Chinese state councilor urges to bring China-Japan ties back on normal track

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (2nd R, Front) raises his glass for a toast when meeting with Japan-China friendship groups in Tokyo, Japan, on May 30, 2017. Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi met with representatives from the Japan Business Federation as well as seven Japan-China friendship groups here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Hua Yi)

TOKYO, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi on Tuesday called on Japan to make positive efforts so as to bring the bilateral relations back on the normal track.

He made the remarks when meeting with representatives from the Japan Business Federation as well as seven Japan-China friendship groups here.

Yang spoke highly of the efforts made by friendly organizations and people in Japan over the years to promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation and enhance bilateral relationship between China and Japan.

He said that as this year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic ties, the two sides should keep the original aspiration and seize the opportunities to bring the bilateral relations back on the normal track.

China adheres to the policy of building friendship and partnership with neighboring countries and follows the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in conducting neighborhood diplomacy, he said.

China always attaches importance to its relationship with Japan and is willing to make joint efforts with Japan to build good neighborly and friendly relations and promote win-win cooperation, Yang said.

He urged the Japanese side to make positive efforts with China to push for healthy and stable development of bilateral relations by respecting each others' core interests and major concerns, safeguarding the political foundation of bilateral relations and promoting practical cooperation in different areas.

Welcoming Japan to cooperate with China under the Belt and Road Initiative, Yang stressed that the two countries should adapt themselves to the new situations and nurture new growth points, and conduct win-win cooperation in more areas and at higher levels.

He said the two sides should cherish the friendship between the Chinese and Japanese peoples, and the Chinese government is willing to provide strong backing for the cause of promoting the friendship between the two peoples.

Representatives from friendly groups in Japan said that China and Japan are close neighbors with close economic and cultural ties and bilateral relationship between the two countries is very important.

They congratulated China on the success of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held recently in Beijing, saying that they will continue their efforts to promote friendship and mutual trust and push for the enhancement of bilateral ties between China and Japan in the years to come.