Chinese State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan met in Beijing Monday with a delegation of young Japanese parliamentarians, urging the two countries to enhance exchange between young politicians.

Tang recalled the history of Sino-Japanese ties and the great efforts made by the past generation of politicians while meeting the delegation which was headed by Kono Taro, member of the House of Representatives of Japan.

The Sino-Japanese ties are "at an important phase of development" and it's an important task for the two countries' young politicians to enhance exchanges, Tang said.

Tang expressed his hope that young Japanese parliamentarians will inherit and develop the tradition of senior politicians to further Sino-Japanese ties, strive to preserve and cherish the fruits of bilateral ties, make more efforts for the Sino-Japanese ties in the new century in the spirit of learning from history and facing the future.

The delegation came to China at the invitation of the China Association for International Friendly Contacts.

(Xinhua News Agency September 21, 2004)