He said strengthening dialogue and communication with them would have a positive impact on improving and promoting China-Japan relations when there were difficulties.

Tsutomu Takebe, of the Liberal Democratic Party, said that the old-generation of Chinese and Japanese leaders had made unswerving efforts to developing their friendship since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1972.

Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, of the New Komeito Party, said Japan and China have a long history of friendly exchange, but the fact that Japan's aggression has caused great harm to the Chinese people could not be denied.

Hu, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said "Both the CPC and the government attach great importance to China-Japan relations and sincerely hope that we can coexist peacefully, be friends from generation to generation and conduct mutually-beneficial cooperation for common development".

"Relations can progress healthily and steadily in the long run as long as the two countries handle their relations from a strategic and long-term point of view, strictly abide by the principles and spirit of the three Sino-Japanese political documents, including the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, adhere to the principle of taking history as a mirror and looking to the future, properly handle issues concerning history and Taiwan, solve differences through dialogue and consultation, expand the mutually-beneficial cooperation in all fields, and continue to strengthen the political, economic and social foundations of bilateral relations," he said.

Takebe agreed, saying this approach would be of great strategic significance and could serve as a guide, and that the Japanese side should study it seriously.

Fuyushiba said, "We should take that part of history seriously, draw lessons from it, and prevent the historical tragedy from being repeated."

(Xinhua News Agency, May 23, 2005)