BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China expects more good news on relations with Japan in the future, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

Wang made the remarks when he met with Japanese ambassador to China Yokoi Yutaka.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic ties.

According to Wang, China-Japan relations have overcome a number of difficulties as well as made significant progress.

"To further develop bilateral ties is the responsibility of both sides," he said.

Earlier on Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a ceremony marking China's upcoming National Day at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo.

China hopes that the Japanese government can have a more positive policy towards China, and do more to promote bilateral cooperation, to achieve good interaction between the two sides, rather than taking one step forward and then one or even two steps back, Wang said.

Yutaka said Abe's attendance at the ceremony showed Japan's willingness to improve ties with China.

Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty. He said that Japan is willing to make joint efforts with China to further strengthen the momentum to improve bilateral ties.